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NCT Number: NCT05107908

Neuronal and Behavioral Effects of an Implicit Priming Approach to Improve Eating Behaviors in Obesity

The purpose of this study is to determine how different behavioral interventions designed to alter food perceptions and behaviors affect brain responses to food, eating behaviors, and body weight.

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Key information

Conditions

Overweight and Obesity Body Weight Body Weight Changes Nutrition Disorders Nutritional and Metabolic Diseases Obesity Overnutrition Overweight Pathological Conditions, Signs and Symptoms Signs and Symptoms Weight Loss

Age range

18 year–65 year

Sex eligibility

All sexes

Study type

Interventional

Phase

Not applicable

Primary location

University of Colorado Anschutz Medical Campus

Aurora, Colorado, 80045, United States

Location status: Recruiting

Location contact

Christina Erpelding, BS

CONTACT

[email protected]

303-724-8502

Jason Tregellas, PhD

PRINCIPAL_INVESTIGATOR

Kristina Legget, PhD

CONTACT

[email protected]

303-724-5809

Who can participate

Healthy volunteers accepted: Yes

Only the study team can determine whether someone qualifies for participation.

Inclusion criteria

  • 18-65 years old
  • BMI of 27 or greater

Exclusion criteria

  • MRI contraindications (e.g., metal or electronic devices in the body)
  • Pregnancy

Treatment and study plan

Active Implicit Priming

Behavioral

Approximately 10-minute behavioral intervention

Control Implicit Priming

Behavioral

Approximately 10-minute behavioral intervention

Food Exposure Task

Behavioral

Approximately 10-30 minute behavioral intervention

Primary outcomes

  1. Percent Change in Blood Oxygen Level Dependent (BOLD) Response to Visual Food Cues as Measured by Functional Magnetic Resonance Imaging

    Time frame: Baseline, 12 weeks

    Percent change in blood oxygen level dependent (BOLD) response from baseline to after the 12-week intervention while viewing visual food cues will be measured using functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI), focusing on insula, striatum, and prefrontal cortex.

  2. Change in Food Image Ratings

    Time frame: Baseline, 12 weeks

    Food image ratings change from baseline to after the 12-week intervention. Food images are rated on "desire to eat" by visual analogue scale (0-100), with higher scores indicating greater desire to eat.

  3. Change in Food Intake

    Time frame: Baseline, 12 weeks

    Food intake change from baseline to after the 12-week intervention. Food intake will be measured as total calories consumed during an ad libitum meal.

Secondary outcomes

  1. Percent Change in Body Weight

    Time frame: Baseline, 12 weeks

    Percent change in body weight (kg) from baseline to after the 12-week intervention.

  2. Change in Fat Mass

    Time frame: Baseline, 12 weeks

    Change in fat mass, as measured using dual-energy x-ray absorptiometry, from baseline to after the 12-week intervention.

Study contacts

Contact information is provided by the study sponsor or research team.

Christina Erpelding, BS

CONTACT

[email protected]

303-724-8502

Kristina Legget, PhD

CONTACT

[email protected]

303-724-5809

Sponsors and collaborators

Lead sponsor

University of Colorado, Denver

Other

Collaborators

  • National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases (NIDDK)

Registry information

Important dates

Study start
2021
Primary completion
2026
Study completion
2026
First posted
Nov 4, 2021
Registry last updated
Feb 12, 2026

OpenTrials presents study information sourced from ClinicalTrials.gov. The official registry record should be consulted for the latest information.

View the official ClinicalTrials.gov record (opens in a new tab)

This listing is for discovery and informational purposes only. It is not medical advice, does not guarantee that a study is recruiting, and does not determine eligibility. Contact the study team and a qualified healthcare professional when considering participation.

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