GLP-1 receptor medicines and brain changes in teen and adult obesity

Who could benefit from this research

What this research studies

This project explores how a class of diabetes medicines, GLP-1 receptor agonists, changes brain activity related to hunger and weight control in teens versus adults. It will use brain imaging and behavioral assessments to understand differences during adolescence, a time of heightened neural plasticity. The study will examine changes in brain circuits that regulate appetite and measure weight loss and appetite sensations over time. By comparing adolescents to adults, researchers hope to identify age-specific effects that could guide future obesity treatments.

Why it matters

Where this research is happening

• University of Colorado Denver
  Aurora, United States Active

Researchers

• Principal investigator: Shapiro, Allison Livia Buti — University of Colorado Denver
• Study coordinator: Shapiro, Allison Livia Buti

Related research

Other NIH-funded projects on the same topics.

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  This project aims to make affordable, heat-stable versions of diabetes and obesity medicines using corn plants.

  NIH research Applied Biotechnology Institute · San Luis Obispo, United States · NIH-11405484

• Obesity and GLP-1 treatment in young people with type 1 diabetes

  A study in teens and young adults with type 1 diabetes and obesity will look at how a GLP-1–based obesity medicine affects body fat distribution, insulin resistance, and lipids.

  NIH research Yale University · New Haven, United States · NIH-11370619

• A scalable plan to help people keep weight off after stopping obesity medications

  A new pilot program helps adults keep weight off after stopping GLP-1 medications or other anti-obesity drugs by using structured eating, activity, and mind-based practices.

  NIH research University of Alabama at Birmingham · Birmingham, United States · NIH-11342005

• Comparing bariatric (weight‑loss) surgery with GLP‑1 and SGLT‑2 diabetes medicines for people with obesity and type 2 diabetes

  This project compares long-term benefits and safety of weight‑loss surgery versus GLP‑1 and SGLT‑2 diabetes medicines for adults who have obesity and type 2 diabetes.

  NIH research Kaiser Foundation Research Institute · Oakland, UNITED STATES · NIH-11290742

• Understanding and treating obesity in young people with type 1 diabetes

  This research explores how a medication for obesity, called a GLP-1 analogue, helps young people with type 1 diabetes manage their weight and reduce heart-related health risks.

  NIH research Yale University · New Haven, United States · NIH-11126759

About this research

1. This is an active NIH-funded research project — typically early-stage science, not a clinical trial accepting patient enrollment.
2. Some NIH-funded labs run parallel clinical studies or seek volunteers for related work. To check, contact the principal investigator or institution listed above.
3. For full project details, budget, and progress reports, visit the official NIH RePORTER page.