Brain Plasticity and GLP-1 Receptor Agonist Treatment for Obesity

Last updated: June 6, 2025
Sponsor: University of Colorado, Denver
Overall Status: Active - Not Recruiting

Phase

3

Condition

Obesity

Diabetes Prevention

Treatment

Placebo

Semaglutide 1.7mg subcutaneous

Clinical Study ID

NCT07021937
Pending
Pending
  • Ages 12-45
  • All Genders

Study 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.

Eligibility Criteria

Inclusion

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

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 physicalimpairment that would interfere with study procedures, as determined by studyphysician

  • if female, desiring to become pregnant, or currently pregnant or breastfeeding

Study Design

Total Participants: 120
Treatment Group(s): 2
Primary Treatment: Placebo
Phase: 3
Study Start date:
May 01, 2026
Estimated Completion Date:
April 30, 2031

Connect with a study center

  • University of Colorado Anschutz Medical Campus

    Aurora, Colorado 80045
    United States

    Site Not Available

Not the study for you?

Let us help you find the best match. Sign up as a volunteer and receive email notifications when clinical trials are posted in the medical category of interest to you.