Overweight and ObesityNCT05107908

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

A study testing Active Implicit Priming and Food Exposure Task in people with Overweight and Obesity, run by University of Colorado, Denver at 1 site in United States.

Completed

Finished. The study has ended and is not enrolling. Results may be posted on the official record.

Official record

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Trial summary

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. Read more about this study

Who is it for?: Ages 18 to 65 yearsHealthy volunteers can take part
Conditions the study is for: Overweight and Obesity
What is being tested?: Active Implicit Priming and Food Exposure Task
Type of treatment: Lifestyle or therapy programme
Could I receive a placebo?: Yes, some participants may receive a placebo
How many people: 161 participants
Where: 1 siteUnited States
Study dates: 12 Nov 2021to 8 Sep 2026
Phase: Interventional

Key requirements

Who can take part, as listed by the sponsor. Only the study team can confirm whether you are eligible, so take this list to your doctor.

Ages 18 to 65 years
All sexes
Healthy volunteers accepted
Adult, Older adult

Who may be able to join

18-65 years old
BMI of 27 or greater

Who cannot join

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

Trial locations and contacts

1 site in 1 country.

United States1 site

University of Colorado Anschutz Medical Campus
Aurora, Colorado, 80045

Other trials in United States

About this study

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.

Conditions: Overweight and Obesity
Being tested: Active Implicit Priming, Control Implicit Priming, Food Exposure Task
Keywords: Eating, Overweight, Obesity, Food, Weight Loss, Magnetic Resonance Imaging, Neuroimaging, Brain, Body Weight
Medical subject headings: Overweight, Obesity, Weight Loss, Body Weight

What participants receive

What participants receive. In a randomised study each person is assigned to one group by chance.

Active Implicit PrimingBehavioural
Approximately 10-minute behavioral intervention
Control Implicit PrimingBehavioural
Approximately 10-minute behavioral intervention
Food Exposure TaskBehavioural
Approximately 10-30 minute behavioral intervention

Study groups in NCT05107908
Study group	Role	What they receive
Active Implicit Priming	Experimental	Participants will complete active implicit priming, in which food images are implicitly primed (i.e., below conscious awareness) with images of positive or negative affect. This will be completed on a weekly basis for 12 weeks, for approximately 10 minutes each time. Receives: Behavioral: Active Implicit Priming
Control Implicit Priming	Placebo comparator	Participants will complete control implicit priming, which matches the active intervention, but with neutral stimuli as primes. This will be completed on a weekly basis for 12 weeks, for approximately 10 minutes each time. Receives: Behavioral: Control Implicit Priming
Food Exposure Task	Active comparator	Participants will complete a Food Exposure Task, in which they will be asked to smell, feel, lick, and imagine eating food items, but without actually eating them. This will be completed on a weekly basis for 12 weeks, for approximately 10-30 minutes each time. Receives: Behavioral: Food Exposure Task

What is being measured

The primary outcome is the main question the study is designed to answer.

Percent Change in Blood Oxygen Level Dependent (BOLD) Response to Visual Food Cues as Measured by Functional Magnetic Resonance Imaging
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.
Measured: Baseline, 12 weeks
Change in Food Image Ratings
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.
Measured: Baseline, 12 weeks
Change in Food Intake
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.
Measured: Baseline, 12 weeks

Secondary outcomes (2)

Percent Change in Body Weight
Percent change in body weight (kg) from baseline to after the 12-week intervention.
Measured: Baseline, 12 weeks
Change in Fat Mass
Change in fat mass, as measured using dual-energy x-ray absorptiometry, from baseline to after the 12-week intervention.
Measured: Baseline, 12 weeks

Timeline

From the start of the study to its completion; the mark is today. Estimated dates are the sponsor’s plan.

12 Nov 20218 Sep 2026

First posted4 Nov 2021
Study start12 Nov 2021
Primary completion8 Sep 2026
Study completion8 Sep 2026

Resources

Official record on ClinicalTrials.govThe registry entry this page is built from, with its full change history.
Other trials for Overweight and ObesityStudies of the same condition, open and under way.
More trials run by University of Colorado, DenverThe sponsor's other registered studies.
What the trial phases meanHow a treatment moves from first tests in people to approval.

More details

For doctors and researchers: how the study is designed, who runs it, and its registry IDs.

Study design

Study type: Interventional
Phase: Phase N/A
Primary purpose: Other
Allocation: Randomised
Intervention model: Parallel groups
Masking: Triple blind
Who is masked: Participant, Investigator, Outcomes assessor
Enrolment: 161 participants (actual)

IDs, dates and publications

ClinicalTrials.gov ID: NCT05107908
Sponsor's protocol ID: 20-2821
Other IDs: R01DK125417
Status last verified: Oct 2026
First submitted: 3 Nov 2021
Last updated: 7 Oct 2026
Results posted: No
FDA-regulated drug: No
FDA-regulated device: No

Want to know more?

The sponsor has not listed a contact. The official record may have more details.

Talk to your doctor first and take this page with you. Only the study team can confirm whether you can join.

Questions to ask the study team

What is the study trying to find out?
What would I need to do, and how often would I visit?
Could I receive a placebo instead of the treatment?
What are the possible risks and benefits for me?
Will it cost me anything? Are travel or time paid for?
Can I keep seeing my own doctor during the study?
What happens when the study ends?

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