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Understanding Brain and Behavior in Childhood Obesity

This study, called RESONATE, aims to understand why some children develop obesity. It will look at how the brain and behavior influence obesity from infancy through childhood. Researchers will use special brain scans (fMRI cue reactivity task and fMRI go no go task) to see how children's brains react to food. They will also measure how much food children eat during a meal (ad libitum meal test) and when they're not hungry (eating in the absence of hunger test). The study will measure how many calories are eaten, body mass index (BMI), and how children respond to food rewards. Children aged 7 to 12 who are already part of the RESONANCE study and do not have food allergies can join. The goal is to find ways to prevent or treat obesity early.

Study design
This interventional study plans to enroll 210 participants. It is not specified if participants are randomly assigned to groups or if the study is blinded.
What's involved
Participants will undergo fMRI brain scans, an ad libitum meal test, and an eating in the absence of hunger test. These assessments are measured at Day 1.
Compensation
Not stated in the trial record.
Follow-up
The primary outcomes, including meal intake, weight/adiposity, and food-related reward, are measured at Day 1.

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

NCT06861868

Brain and Behavior Influences on Obesity Development From Infancy Through Childhood

Recruiting
NAAges 7–12InterventionalBasic science
Johns Hopkins University
~210 participants
Updated 2026-05-07 on ClinicalTrials.gov
What's tested:fMRI cue reactivity taskfMRI go no go taskAd libitum meal testEating in the absence of hunger test

At a glance

Recruiting sites
1 of 4 listed sites are recruiting right now
RecruitingSuspended, closed, or not yet open
What they're measuring
Meal test intake as assessed by total kilocalories consumed
Measured over Day 1
+5 more outcomes measured

Conditions

Obesity and Overweight

Explore related trials

ObesityOverweight

Where it's being run

4 sites across 3 states
Maryland2
Rhode Island1
Washington1

Study leadership

  • Susan Carnell, PhD · PRINCIPAL_INVESTIGATOR · Johns Hopkins University

Who to contact

Susan Carnell, PhD
[email protected]
410-955-7192
Email the study team

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Eligibility criteria

Inclusion

Participants from the RESONANCE cohort are eligible if the participant will reach 7-12 years of age during the proposed project period and have no food allergies.

What this trial measures

  • Meal test intake as assessed by total kilocalories consumedDay 1

    Total kilocalories consumed. Once at the first study visit (lab visit)

  • Weight/adiposity as assessed by BMIDay 1

    Body Mass Index z-score. Once at the first study visit (lab visit)

  • Food-related reward as assessed by food-related delay discounting taskDay 1

    Number of trials the child passes. Once, at the first study visit (lab visit)

  • Food-related cognitive control as assessed by food-related go/no-go taskDay 1

    Commission error rate. Once, at the first study visit (lab visit)

  • Functioning in brain appetite circuits as assessed by cue reactivity taskDuring MRI procedure

    Activation of striatal reward regions and fronto-cingulate control circuits during task assessing food-related reward (cue reactivity). Once, at the second study visit (MRI visit).

  • Functioning in brain appetite circuits as assessed by cognitive control taskDuring MRI procedure

    Activation of striatal reward regions and fronto-cingulate control circuits during task assessing food-related cognitive control (go/no go). Once, at the second study visit (MRI visit).