Help Us Learn How the Brain Controls Hunger

Primary Investigator
T
Tamara Hannon, MD

Primary Investigator

Help Us Learn How the Brain Controls Hunger
Recruiting
18 years - 60 years
All
Phase 1
60 participants needed
2 Locations

Brief description of study

Are you interested in how your brain affects how you feel hungry?  Join us and help make a difference in weight and health research.

The Division of Endocrinology and Department of Neurology at Indiana University School of Medicine and Purdue University are doing a study to learn more about how the brain responds to hunger in people with different body types.  We will compare two groups: people with a lower BMI (18–24.9) and people with a higher BMI (30 or above).

This is a non-treatment study. That means no medicine will be given. We simply want to see how different areas of the brain respond to hunger and fullness. This may help researchers develop better treatments to manage appetite in the future.

You may qualify to take part if you are 18-60 years of age with normal weight or  have obesity.

Detailed description of study

Screening Visit (First Study Visit)

  • For the initial screening visit, you will have a physical exam and a blood draw at the IU Health University Hospital Clinical Research Center (CRC) in Indianapolis, IN.  

First and Second MRI Visits

  • If you qualify after the initial screening visit, we will schedule you to return for 2 MRI visits at the IU Health Neuroscience Center in Indianapolis, IN or at Purdue University in West Lafayette, IN.
    • You will know which site these visits are scheduled for at the beginning of the study, and you will go to the same site for all imaging visits.
  • During these full-day study visits you will view pictures of food while images of your brain are taken using magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) and answer questionnaires.  
  • You will also wear a continuous glucose monitor for the 2 weeks between visits. 

Payment

  • As a thank you for your time, you will receive $50 for the initial screening visit and $300 for each of the 2 subsequent MRI visits. You may receive up to $650 in total for participating in this study.

Eligibility of study

You may be eligible for this study if you meet the following criteria:

  • Conditions: Healthy, Obese, Overweight
  • Age: 18 years - 60 years
  • Gender: All

Inclusion criteria:

  • Individuals with normal weight (BMI of 18-24.9 kg/m2) or individuals with obesity (BMI 30 kg/m2 or higher)
  • Stable body weight with less than 5% change during 3-month period prior to screening
  • Able to complete MRI scans 

Exclusion criteria:

  • Have Type 1 or Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus
  • Have Pancreatic or Hepatic Conditions
  • Have clinically significant gastric emptying abnormality
  • Have medical history or current clinically significant cardiac conditions
  • Have poorly controlled hypertension
  • Have history of brain-related neurological conditions or history of severe head injury
  • Have any significant unstable mental health disorder
  • Have current or historical substance use disorder
  • Test positive for urine drug test for drugs of abuse (including THC) for all site visits
  • Are pregnant or lactating, or intend to become pregnant or to breastfeed during the study
  • Are lactose intolerant or allergic to dairy
  • Are left-handed

Updated on 06 Aug 2026. Study ID: ENDO-LILLY-H6O-MC-GCEL, 31236

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