PET Imaging and Bariatric Surgery
The goal of this study is to increase our understanding of the brain’s involvement in
obesity and weight loss, specifically weight loss due to gastric bypass surgery. We will
be looking at dopamine receptors in the brain. Dopamine is sometimes called the
“pleasure molecule”, and its role is to encourage activities important to survival, such as
eating. .
We would like to see if gastric bypass surgery has positive effects in these areas of the
brain.
Following is a summary of the procedures and approximate duration of the study:
In order to be considered for the study, you must weigh less than 400 pounds, be less than 60
years old, and not take ANY antidepressants or antipsychotics in the last 8 weeks. There are
several other conditions that may exclude you which will be determined in the screening process.
If you take part in the study, you will have 2 visits to the Vanderbilt University Medical
Center (VUMC) prior to your gastric bypass operation. The first visit is for screening
purposes. You will have a physical exam, medical history, EKG, and some blood work.
You will then have an MRI of your brain to rule out any problems that could affect the
study. If you meet the screening criteria, you will come back to VUMC for the preoperative (baseline) PET study. The PET procedure will be repeated 2 more times after
your surgery.
As part of the PET study, you will have additional blood tests, as well as brief
neurological and psychological tests.
The PET scan involves having an IV inserted in your arm to infuse a radioactive tracer.
This tracer allows us to see where your dopamine receptors are located and how many
you have. You will lie quietly on the scanning table for about an hour, then have a 1520 minute break. You will have a second set of scans that last about 50 minutes,
followed by another break, then a third set of scans that last about 40 minutes.
Each PET study takes about 4-5 hours, so you may stay overnight at the General
Clinical Research Center if you like. You will be provided a meal during the PET scan,
and may have an evening snack and breakfast should you decide to stay at Vanderbilt.
You will be reimbursed for your time.
Contact information:
If you are interested in participating or have any questions, please contact:
obesityresearch@vanderbilt.edu , or
Pam Marks (pamela.a.marks@vanderbilt.edu)
615-343-8389 office