Brain Plasticity and GLP-1 Receptor Agonist Treatment for Obesity (NCT07021937) | Clinical Trial Compass
Not Yet RecruitingPhase 3
Brain Plasticity and GLP-1 Receptor Agonist Treatment for Obesity
United States120 participantsStarted 2026-06-15
Plain-language summary
Glucagon-like peptide 1 receptor agonists (GLP-1RA), such as Ozempic and Wegovy, have been rapidly adopted for the treatment of obesity in both youth and adults. However, despite this rapid adoption and the known GLP-1RA mechanism of action for weight loss, which targets brain circuits responsible for appetite and eating behaviors, almost nothing is known about how these drugs affect the brain in youth who are treated for obesity, or how these drugs affect the brain of youth differently from adults. The goal of the current study is to compare youth and adults with obesity who are treated a GLP-1RA and measure potential difference in GLP-1RA associated change in brain function, appetite, and eating behaviors.
Who can participate
Age range
12 Years – 45 Years
Sex
ALL
See this in plain English?
AI-rewrites the medical criteria so a patient or caregiver can understand them. Always confirm with the trial site.
Inclusion Criteria:
* English-speaking
* male or female (sex assigned at birth)
* 12-18 y/o with obesity (BMI\>120% of the 95th %ile)
* 30-45 y/o with obesity (BMI\>35 kg/m2)
Exclusion Criteria:
* treated with glucagon-like peptide-1 (GLP-1) agonists (e.g., exenatide, liraglutide, semaglutide, tirzepatide) for weight management in the prior 3 months
* currently taking anti-psychotic medications (anti-depressants accepted)
* diagnosis of type 2 diabetes
* current or lifetime anorexia nervosa or current bulimia nervosa
* head injury resulting in loss of consciousness \>30min
* neurological disorder (e.g., Parkinson's disease) or history of stroke
* any contraindication to receiving a MRI (e.g., orthodontal braces)
* psychological/behavioral dysfunction (e.g., autism spectrum disorder) or physical impairment that would interfere with study procedures, as determined by study physician
* if female, desiring to become pregnant, or currently pregnant or breastfeeding
Questions worth asking your doctor
Bring these to your next appointment. They're a starting point for a shared conversation — not a sign you qualify or a recommendation to enrol.
1Based on my diagnosis and history, is this trial worth exploring for me — or is there a standard treatment we should try first?
2What does this trial's phase tell us about how much is already known about its safety and benefit?
3What would taking part actually involve for me — visits, tests, time, and travel?
4What are the known and possible risks or side effects I should weigh, and how would they be monitored?
5If this trial isn't the right fit, what other options or trials would you suggest I look into?
Generated to help you prepare — always confirm anything about your own eligibility and care with the study team and your doctor.
Questions for the trial coordinator
The trial coordinator is the person who runs the study day to day. These cover the practical side — logistics, costs, and what taking part would actually mean for your life. The study team confirms whether you meet the criteria; these are questions to ask, not a sign you qualify.
1What does taking part actually involve week to week — how many visits, where, and how long does each one take?
2What costs are covered by the study, and what might I have to pay for myself, including travel, parking, or time off work?
3What happens during screening, and what happens if the study team confirms I don't meet the criteria after those tests?
4Who pays for the scans, blood work, and other tests the trial requires — the study, my insurance, or me?
5How will being in the trial affect my regular care, and will my own doctor stay informed and involved?
6Can I leave the trial at any point if I change my mind, and what would happen to my care if I do?
A starting point for the conversation — always confirm anything about your own eligibility, costs, and care with the study team and your doctor.
What they're measuring
1
blood oxygen-level dependent signal
Timeframe: From enrollment to the end of trial at 32 weeks
2
meal kilocalories (kcal)
Timeframe: From enrollment to the end of trial at 32 weeks
3
visual analogue scale (VAS) score for hunger
Timeframe: From enrollment to the end of trial at 32 weeks
4
visual analogue scale (VAS) for desire to eat
Timeframe: From enrollment to end of trial at 32 weeks
5
visual analogue scale (VAS) score for fullness
Timeframe: From enrollment to end of trial at 32 weeks
6
visual analogue scale (VAS) score for amount participant feels they can eat
Timeframe: From enrollment to end of trial at 32 weeks