Studying brain dopamine response to milkshake in obesity

Trial details

Who runs it

Yale University

Trial code

NCT07915986

Record updated

4 November 2026

Original description

This study measures the brain's dopamine response to milkshake consumption in people with a healthy weight and people with obesity and examines whether this response differs between the two groups. Dopamine release will be measured using ultra-high-resolution positron emission tomography (PET) imaging with the NeuroEXPLORER scanner. The study will also examine how the dopamine response relates to hormonal responses measured at the same time and to participants' food intake behavior.Read full original descriptionShow less

Brain Dopamine Dynamics in Obesity

This study measures the brain's dopamine response to milkshake consumption in people with a healthy weight and people with obesity and examines whether this response differs between the two groups. Dopamine release will be measured using ultra-high-resolution positron emission tomography (PET) imaging with the NeuroEXPLORER scanner. The study will also examine how the dopamine response relates to hormonal responses measured at the same time and to participants' food intake behavior.

Inclusion: BMI 20-25 kg/m² (normal weight group) or BMI 30-45 kg/m² (obesity group); Stable body weight in the 3 months prior to enrollment (<5%weight change); Male sex or postmenopausal female (defined as cessation of menstrual periods for ≥12 consecutive months or FSH >25.8 mIU/mL); Able to read, write, and speak English; Capable of giving informed consent.

Exclusion: Current use of systemic hormone therapy, including oral, transdermal, or injectable estrogen or combined estrogen-progestogen preparations; Radiation exposure for research purposes within the past year such that participation in this study would place them over guideline limits for annual radiation exposure (an effective dose of 5 rem received per year); Current, past or anticipated exposure to radiation in the workplace within one year; Contraindications for MRI: metal implants incompatible with MRI, claustrophobia, large colored tattoos, or body weight >285 pounds; Current or past (within last year prior to enrollment) pharmacological obesity treatment; Past surgical obesity treatment (bariatric surgery); Blood donation within 8 weeks prior to study; History of or current psychiatric disorder; History of or current neurological disorder; History of bleeding disorder or use of anticoagulants; History of or current eating disorder (Eating Disorder Examination Questionnaire); Presence of type 1 or type 2 diabetes mellitus; Uncontrolled thyroid disease; Presence of any somatic disorder or medication use that interferes with brain functional networks or metabolic response to food; Active oral or perioral conditions that may alter taste perception or compromise safety during gustometer use; Renal insufficiency (eGFR <15 mL/min/1.73m²); Childhood-onset obesity (onset before age 10 years); Premenopausal status in women; Smoking (current use of any tobacco or nicotine products); Elevated liver enzymes (>2× the upper limit of normal); Anemia and/or Hematocrit <35 vol%; Lactose intolerance; Shift work; Current use of cannabis (any form), cocaine, amphetamines, or other recreational substances with known dopaminergic effects; Heavy alcohol use, defined as >15 standard drinks per week for men or >8 standard drinks per week for women (National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism thresholds); Pacemaker in situ or other implanted electronic device; Current use of structured meal replacement programs.

ClinicalTrials.gov NCT07915986