Weight-loss drug stoppage and restart effects on brain, mood, and daily life

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

Adults aged 18-70 who are currently taking tirzepatide will undergo three in-person visits to measure changes in brain responses to food cues, behavior, and health outcomes as tirzepatide is stopped for 3-4 weeks and then restarted for 6-8 weeks. The study uses a within-subject design without a separate control group, focusing on changes across three time points: on tirzepatide, after discontinuation, and after reinitiation. Participants will complete interviews, questionnaires, and cognitive tasks and may undergo neuroimaging and other assessments as part of standard clinical care. All procedures are conducted in the context of routine prescribing and are not altering the patient’s medical treatment beyond the study timeline.

Why it matters

Who can join: the full rules

Inclusion Criteria:

* Aged 18-70 years.
* Currently on tirzepatide.
* Currently receiving care from University of Texas- Southwestern (UTSW) Weight Wellness Clinic.
* Cognitively capable of understanding and signing informed consent.
* Be proficient in English.

Exclusion Criteria:

* History of major neurological or psychiatric disorders, including substance use disorders that might confound brain imaging results (e.g., stroke, epilepsy, multiple sclerosis, schizophrenia, major depression requiring hospitalization).
* Diagnosis of Type 2 Diabetes.
* Current diagnosis of an eating disorder.
* Use of medications affecting weight other than tirzepatide.
* Pregnancy or breastfeeding.
* MR contraindications:
* Heart pacemaker, heart valve replacement, or aortic clips
* Metal fragments in the eyes, skin, or elsewhere in the body
* Brain clips or pieces of metal used in aneurysm surgery or intercranial bypass
* Venous umbrella
* Pieces of metal in the body resulting from work as a sheet-metal worker or welder
* Clips placed in an internal organ
* Prosthetic devices, such as middle ear, eye, joint, or penile implants
* Joint replacement
* Hearing aid that cannot be removed
* Neurostimulator
* Insulin pump
* Shunts or stents
* Metal mesh or coil implants
* Metal plate, pin, screws, or wires, or any other metal implants

Where it's running

• Center for BrainHealth
  Dallas, Texas, United States Recruiting

Study contacts

• Principal investigator: Francesca Filbey, Doctor of Philosophy — The University of Texas at Dallas
• Study coordinator: Samuel H Poelker-Wells, Master of Science
• Email: sxp230129@utdallas.edu
• Phone: 972-883-3375

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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.