Neuromolecular Risk Factors for Obesity (PROSPECT)

Obesity Clinical Trial

Official title: Detecting Neuromolecular Risk Factors for Obesity

Status Active, not recruiting

Clinical Trial Summary

The goal of this project is to characterize the neural and psychological mechanisms that contribute to development of obesity in the early adulthood. We address the neuromolecular risk factors for obesity using multi-modal molecular (positron emission tomography with) and functional (functional magnetic resonance imaging) neuroimaging in a prospective design. Normal weight adolescents with high versus low familial, genetic and psychological risk factors for obesity will be studied and followed for five years.

Clinical Trial Description

Diet, nutrition, and physical exercise are critical factors in the maintenance of good health through the entire life course. However, in most western countries the annual increase in the prevalence and the severity of obesity and physical inactivity is substantial. Early detection of individuals with high risk for obesity is important, because reversing the obese state is very difficult. To prevent and treat obesity, it is necessary to characterize neural mechanisms supporting altered incentive motivation and food intake, and to build a comprehensive model of the interactions between neural, physiological, and psychological factors contributing to development and maintenance of obesity. This obviously calls for novel data analysis techniques allowing fusion analysis of neurobiological, physiological, and behavioural data, as well as screening the critical combination of biomarkers for obesity.

A total of sixty males (30 normal-weight, 30 with risk for developing obesity) are recruited into this prospective study. The subjects will undergo physical examination, physical fitness tests, physical activity measures, body tissue composition measurement, structural and functional magnetic resonance imaging of the brain and body (MRI & fMRI), and positron emission tomography (PET) with ligands [18F]-fluorodeoxyglucose ([18F]-FDG), [18-F]FMPEP, and [11C]carfentanil. Subjects' weight and physical condition will be followed up for 5 years.

In three interconnected work packages (WPs) we test three hypotheses derived from human and animal studies:

1. Altered reward and cognitive control functions in the brain predisposes some individuals to overeating and obesity.

2. Opioid system and reward circuit function provide feasible biomarkers for obesity risk.

3. Mobile tracking and behavioural paradigms tapping reward learning and inhibitory control can be used for unobtrusive and inexpensive detection of risk factors for obesity.

These studies will improve our understanding of the neural and psychological mechanisms of obesity and addictive disorders. This knowledge will translate into crucial knowledge for developing novel risk factor screening procedures, and novel pharmacological and psychological treatments for obesity. ;

Related Conditions & MeSH terms

• Obesity

• NCT number: NCT03106688
• Study type: Interventional
• Source: Turku University Hospital
• Status: Active, not recruiting
• Phase: N/A
• Start date: April 4, 2017
• Completion date: December 1, 2022