Understanding how bariatric surgery and semaglutide affect adolescents' health
Official title: Physiologic response to bariatric surgery and the impact of adjunct semaglutide - in adolescents (the PRESSURE trial)
Funded at University of Colorado Denver · NIH-11011271 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This study is looking at how weight loss surgery can help teenagers with severe obesity, and whether adding a medication called semaglutide can make the results even better, all while checking their health over a year to find out what helps them succeed.
Quick facts
| Grant type | NIH-funded research |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | University of Colorado Denver NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Aurora, UNITED STATES) |
| Project start | February 1, 2023 |
| Project end | January 31, 2028 |
| Funding year | 2025 |
| Award (this year) | $184,109 |
| NIH project number | 5K23HL163480-03 |
| Project ID | NIH-11011271 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Ideal candidates for this research are adolescents aged 12 to 20 who are considering or have undergone bariatric surgery.
✕Less likely to help
Patients who are not adolescents or those who do not have severe obesity may not benefit from this research.
What this research studies
This research investigates the effects of metabolic and bariatric surgery (MBS) on adolescents with severe obesity, focusing on how physiological factors like gut peptides and metabolic rates influence weight loss outcomes. The study will also explore the potential benefits of adding semaglutide, a medication that may enhance the effects of surgery. By measuring various health indicators over a year, the research aims to identify predictors of success and improve long-term health outcomes for young patients. Participants will undergo assessments to evaluate their body composition, insulin sensitivity, and other cardiometabolic factors.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this research could lead to improved treatment strategies for adolescents undergoing bariatric surgery, enhancing their weight loss and overall health.
How similar studies have gone: Previous research has shown promising results in adult populations with similar approaches, but this specific focus on adolescents is relatively novel.
Where this research is happening
-
University of Colorado Denver
Aurora, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Moore, Jaime M. — University of Colorado Denver
- Study coordinator: Moore, Jaime M.
Related research
Other NIH-funded projects on the same topics.
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How bariatric surgery helps the liver heal by immune cells
This grant explores how weight-loss surgery may protect the liver from fatty inflammation by changing liver immune cells.
-
Metabolic gut-macteria pathways after bariatric surgery
This grant explores how bariatric surgery changes gut microbes and their chemicals to improve glucose control in adults with type 2 diabetes.
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Comparing medicines and weight-loss surgery for liver disease linked to metabolic problems
This program looks at how two drugs and bariatric surgery work for adults with metabolic dysfunction–associated steatohepatitis (MASH) and liver fibrosis.
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Decoding how bariatric surgery changes brain signals to help weight loss
A research project looks at how weight-loss surgeries like VSG and RYGB alter brain cell activity related to appetite and metabolism to understand why these procedures work.
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Glucagon's diabetes-related effects after bariatric surgery
This project looks at how glucagon affects blood sugar in adults with type 2 diabetes, comparing people who have had bariatric surgery to those who haven’t.
-
BREW ME Model: How bariatric surgery changes alcohol use biology
A study investigates why some people drink more or develop hazardous drinking after bariatric surgery, using biology and behavior to understand the change.
About this research
- This is an active NIH-funded research project — typically early-stage science, not a clinical trial accepting patient enrollment.
- Some NIH-funded labs run parallel clinical studies or seek volunteers for related work. To check, contact the principal investigator or institution listed above.
- For full project details, budget, and progress reports, visit the official NIH RePORTER page.