Neural and Metabolic Factors in Carbohydrate Reward Study

This study is looking at how our brains and bodies respond to different types of sugary drinks. Researchers want to understand how our gut communicates the value of food to our brain, which could help explain why certain foods are so reinforcing. You might be eligible if you are between 18 and 45 years old, have a BMI between 18.5-30 kg/m2, live in the Roanoke area, and can speak and write in English. You cannot participate if you use inhaled nicotine or have a history of alcohol dependence. Participants will consume flavored beverages containing either sucralose (CS- Beverage), sucrose (CS+Fast), or maltodextrin (CS+Slow). The main goal is to see how your preference for these drinks changes over 5 weeks. The study status is currently unclear, and it plans to enroll 64 people.

Study design
This is an interventional study, meaning participants will receive specific interventions. It plans to enroll 64 participants.
What's involved
Participants will consume flavored beverage solutions in 6 exposure sessions within 1 week. One exposure session for CS+Fast and CS+Slow will include pre- and post-consumption blood draws and indirect calorimetry measurement.
Compensation
Not stated in the trial record.
Follow-up
Your preference for the beverages will be measured at the end of the study, 5 weeks after the study begins.

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

NCT06053294

Neural and Metabolic Factors in Carbohydrate Reward

Recruiting
NAAges 18–45InterventionalBasic science
Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University
~64 participants
Updated 2026-07-02 on ClinicalTrials.gov
What's tested:CS- BeverageCS+FastCS+Slow

At a glance

Recruiting sites
1 of 1 listed site is recruiting right now
RecruitingSuspended, closed, or not yet open
What they're measuring
Change in preference- liking
Measured over at the end of the study; 5 weeks after start of study
Carbohydrate Metabolism

NCT06053294

Where you'd take part

This study runs at 1 site. They're the same protocol — you choose where, and that choice sets who your contact draft is addressed to.

  • Fralin Biomedical Research Institute at VTC

    Roanoke, Virginiastudy coordinator listed

    Recruiting

Sites open and close at different times, so the status above is per site — it can differ from the study's overall status.

Opens a ready-to-send draft in your own email app — review before sending.

  • Change in preference- likingat the end of the study; 5 weeks after start of study

    Subjective ratings of liking of flavors used in the intervention will be assessed at baseline and after the intervention. The generalized Labeled Magnitude Scale will be used. The scale is anchored by descriptors of "Most Disliked Sensation Imaginable" and "Most Liked Sensation Imaginable" at the lower and upper ends, respectively. The score is determined by the place on the scale participants select (range of scale is 0-100). An increase in score from baseline to post-intervention indicates an increase in liking.