How semaglutide affects brain responses to food cues in adults with obesity and food-addiction tendencies

Is this trial a fit for you?

A plain-English reading of the study's rules. Only the study team can confirm whether you qualify.

What this trial studies

This prospective interventional study uses a 2-by-2 crossover design to examine how semaglutide influences dopamine-related brain activity during exposure to food cues and during the post-ingestive period. Adults with obesity and a tendency toward food addiction will receive weekly semaglutide for eight weeks and undergo two [11C]raclopride PET scans. Scans assess brain responses during look, smell, and tasting of chocolate milk, with accompanying hunger and liking ratings, alongside baseline cognitive and psychological assessments. The study aims to link pharmacologic effects with dopamine-related imaging findings and behavioral measures.

Why it matters

Who can join: the full rules

Inclusion Criteria:

* Participants aged between 19 and 50 years.
* Eligible for treatment with semaglutide, defined as either:
* Initial body mass index (BMI) of 30 kg/m2 or higher; or
* Initial BMI of 27 kg/m2 to less than 30 kg/m2 with at least one weight-related comorbidity, such as dysglycemia, hypertension, dyslipidemia, obstructive sleep apnea, or cardiovascular disease.
* Mild or greater food addiction tendency, defined as a Yale Food Addiction Scale (YFAS) score of 3 or higher.
* Able to understand the study tasks and provide appropriate responses.

Exclusion Criteria:

* Use of medications that may affect body weight or dopaminergic medications within the past 2 months.
* Known hypersensitivity to semaglutide.
* Pregnant, breastfeeding, or planning to become pregnant.
* Severe renal impairment, hepatic impairment, heart failure, acute pancreatitis, or thyroid disease.
* Any medical condition, disease, or medical history that, in the investigator's judgment, would make it difficult for the participant to complete the study or would interfere with interpretation of the study results.
* Allergy to ingredients in chocolate milk, including milk or soy, or to ingredients that may be present through cross-contamination, including egg, buckwheat, peanut, wheat, peach, tomato, walnut, pork, or beef.
* Participants with both no self-reported preference for chocolate milk and a chocolate milk preference score of less than 5 on a 10-point visual analog scale (VAS).

Where it's running

• Seoul National University Hospital
  Seoul, South Korea Recruiting

Study contacts

• Principal investigator: Hyung Jin Choi, MD, PhD — Seoul National University College of Medicine
• Study coordinator: Taesung Lee, MD
• Email: nova2123@snu.ac.kr
• Phone: +821097262123

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How to take part

1. Review the eligibility criteria above with your treating physician.
2. Check the official listing on ClinicalTrials.gov for the latest contact details and recruitment status.
3. Contact the study coordinator or principal investigator to ask for pre-screening. Pre-screening is free and never obligates you to enroll.