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Brain Plasticity and Semaglutide Treatment for Obesity

This study is looking at how the medication Semaglutide (like Ozempic or Wegovy) affects the brain in people with obesity. Researchers want to understand if Semaglutide changes brain activity, appetite, and eating behaviors differently in young people (ages 12-18) compared to adults (ages 30-45). You would either receive Semaglutide or a placebo (an inactive substance) through injections under the skin. The study will measure changes in brain activity (blood oxygen-level dependent signal), how many calories you eat, and your hunger levels. The study is currently recruiting 120 participants and is open to English-speaking males and females within the specified age ranges and BMI requirements.

Study design
This is an interventional study involving 120 participants. You would be randomly assigned to receive either Semaglutide or a placebo.
What's involved
You would receive active treatment for 24 or 32 weeks. The study will measure brain activity, meal calories, and hunger levels from enrollment to the end of the trial at 32 weeks.
Compensation
Not stated in the trial record.
Follow-up
Not specified.

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

NCT07021937

Brain Plasticity and GLP-1 Receptor Agonist Treatment for Obesity

Not Yet Recruiting
PHASE3Ages 12–45InterventionalTreatment
University of Colorado, Denver
~120 participants
Updated 2026-07-02 on ClinicalTrials.gov
What's tested:Semaglutide 1.7mg subcutaneousPlacebo

At a glance

Recruiting sites
0 of 1 listed site is recruiting right now
RecruitingSuspended, closed, or not yet open
What they're measuring
blood oxygen-level dependent signal
Measured over From enrollment to the end of trial at 32 weeks
+5 more outcomes measured

Conditions

Obesity/Therapy

Explore related trials

Obesity

Where it's being run

1 sites across 1 states
Colorado1

Study leadership

  • Allison Shapiro, PhD, MPH · PRINCIPAL_INVESTIGATOR · University of Colorado, Denver

Who to contact

Allison Shapiro, PhD, MPH
[email protected]
3037241150
Email the study team

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Do you actually qualify for this trial?

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Eligibility criteria

Inclusion

English-speaking
male or female (sex assigned at birth)
12-18 y/o with obesity (BMI\>120% of the 95th %ile)
30-45 y/o with obesity (BMI\>35 kg/m2)

Exclusion

treated with glucagon-like peptide-1 (GLP-1) agonists (e.g., exenatide, liraglutide, semaglutide, tirzepatide) for weight management in the prior 3 months
currently taking anti-psychotic medications (anti-depressants accepted)
diagnosis of type 2 diabetes
current or lifetime anorexia nervosa or current bulimia nervosa
head injury resulting in loss of consciousness \>30min
neurological disorder (e.g., Parkinson's disease) or history of stroke
any contraindication to receiving a MRI (e.g., orthodontal braces)
psychological/behavioral dysfunction (e.g., autism spectrum disorder) or physical impairment that would interfere with study procedures, as determined by study physician
if female, desiring to become pregnant, or currently pregnant or breastfeeding

What this trial measures

  • blood oxygen-level dependent signalFrom enrollment to the end of trial at 32 weeks

    measured via resting-state functional magnetic resonance imaging

  • meal kilocalories (kcal)From enrollment to the end of trial at 32 weeks

    Measured as kcal consumed from standardized ad libitum meal

  • visual analogue scale (VAS) score for hungerFrom enrollment to the end of trial at 32 weeks

    pre- and post-meal hunger measured on a 100mm VAS

  • visual analogue scale (VAS) for desire to eatFrom enrollment to end of trial at 32 weeks

    pre- and post-meal desire to eat measured on a 100mm VAS

  • visual analogue scale (VAS) score for fullnessFrom enrollment to end of trial at 32 weeks

    pre- and post-meal feeling of fullness measured on a 100mm VAS

  • visual analogue scale (VAS) score for amount participant feels they can eatFrom enrollment to end of trial at 32 weeks

    pre- and post-meal of amount participant feels they can eat measured on a 100mm VAS