Effects of Semaglutide on Brain Dopamine Responses to Food Cues in Adults With Obesity and Food Addiction Tendencies

Sponsor
Seoul National University Hospital
Study ID
NCT07732426
Status
Recruiting
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Conditions

Eligibility Criteria

Sex
ALL
Age
19 Years - 50 Years
Healthy Volunteers
Not accepted

Interventions

  • Semaglutide — DRUG
    Participants receive an 8-week subcutaneous semaglutide dose-escalation treatment using Wegovy: 0.25 mg once weekly for the first 4 weeks, followed by 0.5 mg once weekly for the next 4 weeks.

Study Details

The goal of this clinical trial is to investigate how semaglutide affects the way the brain responds to food in adults with obesity and food addiction tendencies. The main goals of this study are: * To see if semaglutide changes dopamine-related activity in the brain during the look, smell, and drink period. * To see if semaglutide changes dopamine-related brain signals during the post-ingestive period. * To see if semaglutide changes psychological survey results and cognitive task results. Adults with obesity and food addiction tendencies will join this study. Each participant will receive semaglutide treatment for 8 weeks. Each participant will have two brain scans using \[11C\]raclopride PET. During each PET scan, participants will: * View food images. * Receive chocolate milk through a tube while lying in the scanner. * Use a tablet during the scan to rate their hunger, desire for the chocolate milk drink, and liking of the drink.

Key Dates

First listed
Jul 28, 2026
Start date
Jul 15, 2026
Status verified
Jul 2026
Primary completion
Feb 29, 2028
Completion
Jun 30, 2028

Study Design

Enrollment
30 participants (estimated)
Allocation
NON_RANDOMIZED
Intervention model
CROSSOVER
Primary purpose
BASIC_SCIENCE

Arms

  • Experimental: Off Drug then On Drug
    Participants undergo a baseline \[11C\]raclopride PET scan before semaglutide treatment. They then receive an 8-week semaglutide dose-escalation treatment, followed by a second \[¹¹C\]raclopride PET scan at the end of treatment.
  • Experimental: On Drug then Off Drug
    Participants first receive an 8-week semaglutide dose-escalation treatment and undergo a \[¹¹C\]raclopride PET scan at the end of treatment. After an 8-week washout period, they undergo a second \[¹¹C\]raclopride PET scan.

Primary Outcome Measure

Change in Dopamine Binding Potential During the Look, Smell, and Drink Period [ Time Frame: Group A: At Baseline (Day 0) and 8 weeks (±3 days) after starting semaglutide. Group B: At 8 weeks (±3 days) after starting semaglutide and 8 weeks after semaglutide discontinuation. ]

Central Contacts

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