Grant: Master's Award: Canada Graduate Scholarships

Given the increasing prevalence of obesity and its associated medical consequences and impact on healthcare, the importance of bariatric surgery, which is more effective than conventional weight loss management in cases of morbid obesity, cannot be underestimated. However, there is little research on the changes in taste and smell after this surgery and on the impact on weight loss, both of which have a potentially significant impact on the lives of these patients. The purpose of this study is to compare brain activation of severely obese patients before and after surgery, as well as to non-obese controls. The study proposes to include 24-30 participants. It is hypothesised that areas of the brain that are associated with taste or smell will be less active in pre-surgery bariatric patients compared to controls. After surgery, it is expected that brain activity in these regions will significantly change. The secondary purpose of this study is to determine if objective measures of perception will correspond to subjective ones and to determine how both are related to weight loss. It is expected that extreme differences in taste intensity will result in greater weight loss compared to smaller differences, due to decreased enjoyment and consumption of these foods. Participants will answer questionnaires about taste and food preferences to determine self-reported changes. They will also undergo neuroimaging to measure brain activity during taste and smell tests. The results of this study will help show how brain activity differs before and after bariatric surgery, as related to the commonly observed taste and smell changes in this population. It may also indicate possible brain targets for weight loss, for example through behaviour or medication.