Neurofeedback for managing food cravings in overweight individuals
Connectome-based Neurofeedback of the Craving Network to Reduce Food Cue Reactivity
This study tests if neurofeedback can help overweight people with strong food cravings change how their brains respond to food and improve their eating habits.
Quick facts
| Phase | Not applicable |
|---|---|
| Study type | Interventional |
| Enrollment | 50 (estimated) |
| Ages | 18 Years to 60 Years |
| Sex | All |
| Sponsor | Yale University Academic / other |
| Locations | 1 site (New Haven, Connecticut) |
| Trial ID | NCT06426693 on ClinicalTrials.gov |
What this trial studies
This project investigates whether individuals with overweight or obesity and high food cravings can learn to modify their brain responses to food cues through neurofeedback. The study has three main aims: to assess if neurofeedback from the craving network reduces craving network strength, to evaluate its impact on food cravings and eating behaviors, and to examine changes in resting state functional connectivity. Participants will receive either experimental or control feedback during the intervention.
Who should consider this trial
Good fit: Ideal candidates are adults aged 18 to 60 with a body mass index over 25 and significant food cravings.
Not a fit: Patients currently using anti-obesity medications, experiencing significant weight loss recently, or having neurological or psychiatric disorders may not benefit from this study.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this approach could help individuals better manage their cravings and improve their eating behaviors, potentially leading to weight loss.
How similar studies have performed: Other studies have shown promise in using neurofeedback for behavioral modifications, suggesting potential success for this approach.
Eligibility criteria
Show full inclusion / exclusion criteria
Inclusion Criteria: * Ages 18 to 60 years * Body mass index \>25 kg/m2 * \>2.37 Food Craving Inventory score Exclusion Criteria: * Current or past 6 months use of anti-obesity medications * Weight-reduced state defined as \>10% weight reduction in the past 6 months. * Nicotine use * Current diagnosis of neurological or psychiatric disorder * Obesity-related diseases such as type-2 diabetes * Contraindications to MRI * Baseline scanning with motion \>0.15mm frame to frame displacement.
Where this trial is running
New Haven, Connecticut
- Yale MRRC Anlyan Center — New Haven, Connecticut, United States (Recruiting)
Study contacts
- Principal investigator: Kathleen A Garrison, PhD — Yale University
- Study coordinator: Kathleen A Garrison, PhD
- Email: kathleen.garrison@yale.edu
- Phone: 2037376232
How to participate
- Review the eligibility criteria above with your treating physician.
- Visit the official trial page on ClinicalTrials.gov for the most current contact information and recruitment status.
- Contact the listed study coordinator or principal investigator to request pre-screening. Pre-screening is free and never obligates you to enroll.