Clinical trial Recruiting at 1 site Interventional Ages 18 to 55

Investigating taste responses in obese individuals before and after weight loss surgery

Official title: Taste Physiology in Obese Volunteers Before and After Bariatric Surgery

Run by University Hospital, Basel, Switzerland · NCT02902198 · Data updated 2026-11-12

This study is trying to see how weight loss surgery changes the way morbidly obese people taste food and how their brains respond to it.

More Obesity trials

Quick facts

Study typeInterventional
Ages18 Years to 55 Years
SexAll
Enrollment16 (estimated)
SponsorUniversity Hospital, Basel, Switzerland
Academic / other
Locations1 site (Basel)
StatusRecruiting
StartedDecember 2014
Main results expectedDecember 2026
Study endsDecember 2027
Registry record updatedApril 3, 2025
Trial IDNCT02902198 on ClinicalTrials.gov

Is this trial a fit for you?

Likely a good fit

Ideal candidates are morbidly obese individuals with a BMI of at least 35 kg/m2 who are scheduled for bariatric surgery.

Probably not a fit

Patients with cardiovascular disease or neurologic/psychiatric disorders may not benefit from this study.

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

What this trial studies

This study aims to explore the neuro-anatomical responses to gastrointestinal taste stimulation in morbidly obese individuals by using functional MRI. Participants will receive intragastric administration of glucose, monosodium glutamate, chloroquine, and a placebo, followed by brain imaging before and three months after undergoing bariatric surgery. The goal is to understand how bariatric surgery affects taste perception and related brain activity in obese patients.

Why it matters

Potential benefit: If successful, this study could enhance understanding of taste physiology in obesity and improve post-surgical outcomes for patients.

How similar studies have gone: While this approach is innovative, similar studies exploring taste physiology in obesity have shown promising results, indicating potential for success.

Who can join: the full rules

Show full inclusion / exclusion criteria
Inclusion Criteria:

* morbidly obese patients (BMI min 35kg/m2) scheduled for bariatric surgery
* right handed

Exclusion Criteria:

* cardiovascular disease
* neurologic/psychiatric disorders

Where it's running

  • University Hopital Basel
    Basel, Switzerland
    Recruiting

Study contacts

Similar studies

Other studies for the same condition or treatment. Recruiting studies are listed first.

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.
Last reviewed 2026-11-14 by the Find a Trial editorial team. Information on this page is for educational purposes and is not medical advice. Always consult qualified healthcare professionals about clinical trial participation.