GLPwatch

Reward Mechanisms in Obesity

NCT03347890 · Completed

Last updated 2026-05-28

This clinical trial examines how the brain's reward system responds in people with obesity by measuring changes in brain activity using a special imaging technique.

Status Completed The study has finished.
Phase Phase 4 Monitors a drug already on the market.
Type Interventional (clinical trial)
Design Randomized, quadruple-blind treatment study
Participants 70 people
Who can join Ages 18–75 · all sexes Healthy volunteers accepted.
Timeline Started 2018-03 · est. completion 2020-03
Where 1 site · Switzerland

What this study is testing ClinicalTrials.gov NCT03347890 ↗

Description as written by the study sponsor.

The study aims to investigate the effects of 3.0 mg of liraglutide on reward brain circuits in human obesity and to better understand its effects on weight loss (in patients without diabetes). According to the study protocol, 70 obese patient will be evaluated at baseline and at 16-week (end of study) after daily subcutaneous injections of Saxenda® (liraglutide 3.0 mg) or Placebo by pen injector. All participants will first undergo a functional Magnetic Resonance Imaging (fMRI) session while being presented with gustatory stimuli. Second, participants will complete behavioural tasks (i.e., liking versus wanting, in the scanner) and questionnaires aiming at teasing apart reward mechanisms and emotional skills (e.g., emotional regulation ability) associated with food intake. Third, metabolic parameters and hormones involved in appetite regulation will be assessed and studied in relation to fMRI. These measurements will be repeated after 16 weeks in obese individuals. The control group of normal body weight individuals will be evaluated once at Baseline.

Treatments tested

Main thing measuredChange of Bold Oxygenation Level Dependent (BOLD) signal (%) in brain regions involved in the reward system
SponsorZoltan Pataky
Conditions studiedObesity
GLP-1 drugs

Full protocol, eligibility, and contacts on ClinicalTrials.gov NCT03347890 ↗