Not Yet RecruitingNot Applicable

The Influence of Obesity and Insulin Sensitivity on Reward Processing and Decision Making

50 participantsStarted 2026-07-01

Plain-language summary

Reward learning and decision-making processes, which operate largely outside of conscious control, shape food choices and eating behaviors. Excess adiposity is associated with differences in brain structure and functional connectivity underlying these processes, and insulin resistance, which commonly co-occurs with excess adiposity, has been linked with dopamine signaling that is crucial for these processes. However, whether and how excess adiposity and insulin resistance affect reward learning and decision-making remains poorly understood. This study will address that gap, examining the effects of excess adiposity and insulin resistance, and their interaction, on processes of reward learning and decision-making in food-specific and general contexts.

Who can participate

Age range

18 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: * 18 to 45 years of age * Self-reported weight stable (within 5 lbs) for previous 3 months * Not pregnant or planning to become pregnant during study participation * Weigh more than 110 lbs (due to blood draws used in study) * Residing in Roanoke, VA, area and/or willing to attend sessions at the Fralin Biomedical Research Institute Exclusion criteria: * BMI \< 18.5 or \> 40 kg/m2 * Hemoglobin A1c \> 6.4% * Fasting blood glucose \> 126 mg/dL * 2-hour blood glucose \> 200 mg/dL * Self-reported current diagnosis of diabetes or other endocrine/metabolic disorder * Self-reported current inhaled nicotine use * Self-reported history of alcohol dependence * Self-reported use of medications known to influence study measures (including antiglycemic agents, thyroid medications, etc.) * Self-reported neurological or psychological disorder * Self-reported claustrophobia or discomfort with mock fMRI training * Self-reported history of head injury resulting in loss of consciousness for more than 10 minutes * Contraindications to MRI, including pacemaker, aneurysm clip, neurostimulator, cochlear implant, metal in eyes, steel worker, other implants * Self-reported previous metabolic/weight loss surgery * Self-reported adherence to special or restrictive diet within the past 3 months (e.g., low-carb, ketogenic, exclusion of food groups/specific macronutrients, etc.) * Self-reported allergy to ingredient used in the study drinks

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

Rated Liking

Timeframe: On the first day of enrollment to the post-test session approximately 1-2 weeks later

Trial details

NCT IDNCT07638059

SponsorVirginia Polytechnic Institute and State University

Sponsor typeOTHER

Study typeINTERVENTIONAL

Primary completion2029-07-01

View on ClinicalTrials.gov More Adiposity trials