Back to search results

Brain Stimulation for Weight Loss and Food Intake

This study is investigating if transcranial direct current stimulation (tDCS), a type of electrical brain stimulation, can help people eat less and lose weight. Researchers are focusing on an area of the brain called the dorsolateral prefrontal cortex (DLPFC), which is thought to be involved in feelings of fullness. You might be able to join if you are 18-60 years old, have a Body Mass Index (BMI) of 25 or higher, and live in the Phoenix, AZ area. The study aims to see if tDCS leads to weight loss and reduced food intake over 9 weeks, and if it changes brain activity when looking at food.

Study design
This interventional study plans to enroll 126 participants. It compares active tDCS to a sham (no stimulation) treatment.
What's involved
You would have your weight and food intake measured at the beginning and at week 9. Brain fMRI scans would be done at weeks 1 and 9.
Compensation
Not stated in the trial record.
Follow-up
Participants are followed for 9 weeks after the start of the study.

AI-generated from the public study record. Only the study team can confirm whether you're eligible — confirm details with them before making decisions.

NCT00739362

Effects of Brain Stimulation on Food Intake and Behavioral Weight Loss Treatment

Active, Not Recruiting
PHASE2Ages 18–60InterventionalTreatment
National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases (NIDDK)
~126 participants
Updated 2026-09-01 on ClinicalTrials.gov
What's tested:Transcranial Direct Current Stimulation (TDCS)Sham/no-stimulation

At a glance

Recruiting sites
0 of 1 listed site is recruiting right now
RecruitingSuspended, closed, or not yet open
What they're measuring
weight loss
Measured over Baseline, week 9
+2 more outcomes measured

Conditions

Electric Stimulation Therapy
Obesity
Weight Loss
Eating

Explore related trials

Obesity

Where it's being run

1 sites across 1 states
Arizona1

Study leadership

  • Marci E Gluck, Ph.D. · PRINCIPAL_INVESTIGATOR · National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases (NIDDK)

Who to contact

This trial hasn't published a contact. View it on ClinicalTrials.gov

Do you actually qualify for this trial?

Add a private profile and we'll compare every criterion below against your situation — and tell you which ones are met, uncertain, or excluding.

Check eligibility for this trial ~2 min · HIPAA-protected · delete anytime
Eligibility criteria

Inclusion

BMI \>= 25 kg/m\^2
Age 18-60 years. Women who are post-menopausal will be excluded from the study due to changes in their metabolism that could affect weight loss. We will set the cutoff at age 60 so that the age difference between the men and women is not too great for analysis purposes. Minors under the age of 18 will be excluded because the time requirements of the study are such that they would interfere with school schedules.
Right-handedness (because the treatment will be given to the left dorsolateral prefrontal cortex and the evidence accumulated in this region was only in right-handed individuals).
Weight stable (+/- 5 percent) for last 3 months as determined by volunteer report.

Exclusion

Weight \> 300 lbs (136 kg), as this is the general size limit of the fMRI machine. Participants \>300 pounds may be included if their body habitus will allow them to fit within the diameter of the MRI machine. This will be determined on a case-by-case basis after consultation with staff at Banner Health Neuroimaging Center.
Use of medication affecting metabolism and appetite in the last three months
Current pregnancy, pregnancy within the past 6 months or currently lactating
History or clinical manifestations of acute or chronic disorders or conditions that may affect appetite or energy expenditure (such as, but not limited to type 1 or type 2 diabetes, Cushing s disease, thyroid disorders, coccidiomycoses)
Gastrointestinal disease, including inflammatory bowel diseases (e.g. Chron s disease and ulcerative colitis), malabsorption syndromes (e.g. celiac disease), gastric ulcer (active) which may alter metabolism
Current, unstable medical conditions such as hepatitis, renal insufficiency, cancer requiring treatment in the last 5 years, or central nervous system disorders etc. as assessed by history and physical exam
Evidence of alcohol abuse as defined by \>= 8 point score on the Alcohol consumption screening AUDIT questionnaire in adults
Evidence of drug use such as amphetamines, cocaine, heroin, or marijuana
Current use of tobacco products that exceed "Very Low Dependence" on the Fagerstr(SqrRoot)(Delta)m Test for Nicotine Dependence Tool (score greater than 2)
Postmenopausal women or symptoms of perimenopause (e.g. hot flashes, onset of irregular periods following age 40, elevation of FSH \>20 IU following age 40 years)
Any conditions contraindicated for MRI (e.g., pacemaker, metal in the cranial cavity, significant claustrophobia, holes in the skull made by trauma or surgery)
Any condition not specifically mentioned above that, in the opinion of the investigator, may interfere with the study or prove unsafe for participation.

What this trial measures

  • weight lossBaseline, week 9

    Weight (kg)

  • food intakeBaseline, week 9

    Total energy intake during snack food taste test

  • brain fMRI activation in the left DLPFC when shown food vs. nonfood visual cuesWeeks 1 and 9

    Percent signal change in the left DLPFC when shown food vs. nonfood visual cues