Scientific projects
Besides separate scientific projects, we systematically analyze collected data as for instance weight courses or blood values of our patients. In doing so, we assure not only quality management but also important scientific findings. For instance, this process is inevitable for our patients since we provide solid information on success rates but also complication rates of different surgical procedures. As a matter of course, we adhere to our »obligation »to »maintain »confidentiality. Therefore, collected data is exclusively processed and published anonymously, which means without a notification of patient names.
Mechanisms of restoration of beta cell function in relation to adipoinsular and enteroinsular axes after gastric bypass surgery in severely obese patients with type 2 diabetes
| Principle investigator: | Prof. Dr. Bernd Schultes |
| Cooperation: | Prof. Dr. Thomas Pieber, Division of Endocrinology and Nuclear Medicine, Medical University of Graz, Austria |
| Funding: | European Foundation for the Study of Diabetes |
| Status: | in process |
This double-centre study aims to elucidate the underlying mechanism of type 2 diabetes (T2DM) remission in morbidly obese patients after Roux-en Y gastric bypass surgery. By distinct metabolic examinations the basic mechanisms of this diabetes resolution shall be investigated. Thereby, glucose metabolism in patients with T2DM will be examined in more detail than usual before and after a gastric bypass operation. The results are expected to provide important new insight into the pathophysiology of disturbed beta cell function and its possible restoration in T2DM.
Central nervous processing of visual food stimuli in severly obese patients and after gastric bypass surgery – A fMRI study
| Principle investigator: | Prof. Dr. Bernd Schultes |
| Cooperation: | Prof. Dr. Niels Birbaumer, Institute of Medical Psychology and Behavioral Neurobiology, University of Tuebingen, Germany |
| Funding: | Partly funded by the network of excellence "Adipositas", Germany |
| Status: | in process |
Eating behavior is controlled by the brain. By use of functional Magnetic Resonance Imaging (fMRI) the activity of different brain areas can indirectly be measured. In this study brain activity is measured by fMRI while obese and normal-weight persons are looking at food and non-food related pictures. In addition patients who have undergone a gastric bypass operation will be studied with the same protocol. We expect to detect distinct differences in regional brain responses to food stimuli between obese and normal-weight subjects as well as after gastric bypass surgery.
Changes in dietary habits and nutritional parameters in obesity and after bariatric surgery
| Investigators: | Barbara Ernst, Dr. Martin Thurnheer, Prof. Dr. Bernd Schultes |
| Funded: | own resources |
| Status: | in process |
In this project clinical data on nutritional serum markers are analyzed. Also, various aspects of eating behavior are assessed by distinct questionnaires. Within this project we could already obtain and publish some interesting results. For example, we could show that severely obese patients display a high prevalence of micronutrient deficiencies, which may have an adverse effect on their health state and thus, be of therapeutic relevance. Furthermore, we could show that obese subjects show changes in their eating behavior and food selection after a bariatric surgery which depends on the specific type of operation.
Comparison of laparoscopic gastric sleeve gastrectomy with laparoscopic gastric bypass for the treatment of morbid obesity
| Principle investigators: | Prof. Dr. Bernd Schultes, Dr. Martin Thurnheer |
| Funding: | own resources |
| Status: | in process |
This is a randomized, controlled trial which assesses the effectiveness of gastric sleeve resection in comparison to Roux-en Y gastric bypass surgery in reducing bodyweight in severely obese patients. Short-term and long-term complications of both of these bariatric procedures are assessed. This multicenter trial is lead by Dr. Ralph Peterli from the Clara Hospital in Basel, Switzerland.