Funded Projects

Reward Deficiency Syndrome is a crucial factor in the etiology of substance, and non-substance addictive behaviors, like gambling and gaming. Increasing knowledge is needed about the genetic, neuroendocrine and psychological markers that predict bariatric surgery patients’ negative outcomes, such as addiction (ETOH, smoking, opioids, gambling), regain of weight, and diabetes and hypertension relapse. Early identification of these antecedents should be considered to develop a more personalized approach. The predictors of recidivism are not well understood. The Goal of this study is to identify biomarkers that predict which subjects undergoing bariatric surgery are at greater risk for recidivism of obesity, diabetes, hyperlipidemia, smoking or development of addictive disorders. Smoking and alcohol have also a negative surgical impact leading to development of ulcers at the anastomosis site. We will determine the specific genetic, endocrine, lifestyle, diet, and psychosocial factors that predict recidivism by examining over a 12-month period genetic, neuroendocrine and psychological biomarkers in 50 subjects prior to bariatric surgery. Drs. Quattrin, Thanos and Mastrandrea are complemented by junior and senior co-investigators with clinical (Harmon, Butch, Posner, Hoffman, Lamoshi, Leonard) and Bioinformatics expertise (Elkin). This multidisciplinary team will examine: a) Genetic markers (GARS genetic test examining single nucleotide polymorphisms detection of Reward Deficiency Syndrome); b) Neuroendocrine markers (glucose, insulin, ghrelin, GLP1) and c) Psychological markers (Questionnaire assessment of self-esteem, eating disorders, substance use, mental health, chronic stress, social support, physical activity). These data will be collected and analyzed along with patient outcomes and will be used to support a NIH proposal leading to a personalized approach of treatment for bariatric surgery (PAR-14-262 Long-Term Outcomes of Bariatric Surgery Using Large Data)