Neuromolecular Risk Factors for Obesity (PROSPECT)

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.

Conditions

• Obesity

Interventions

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fMRI imaging

Using blood oxygenation level dependent (BOLD) echo-planar imaging, fMRI will be used for characterising individual differences in the brain circuits.

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[11C]carfentanil PET scan

\[11C\]carfentanil is used to measure μ-opioid receptor (MOR) availability in brain.

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[18F]FMPEP-d2 PET scan

\[18F\]FMPEP-d2 is used to measure cannabinoid receptor type 1 (CB1) availability in brain and body.

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[18F]-FDG PET scan

Brain and body insuin stimulated glucose uptake is measured with radioligand \[18F\]-FDG.

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Physical activity measures and fitness tests

Physical activity will be measured over one week following the screening check-up, before the PET measurement days. For the measurement, subjects will wear Polar M600 GPS Sports Watch for the measurement period. The fitness tests will be performed at the Paavo Nurmi Centre.

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Laboratory measurements

Weight, height, blood pressure, medical history, and current medication are determined. Body fat percentage will be assessed using BodPod plethysmograph.

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Questionnaires

All the participants will complete a self-administered questionnaire at baseline, and at 12 months, for assessment of leisure-time physical activity (LTPA). The following questionnaires will be completed: Behavioural inhibition / activation, Dutch Eating Behaviour Questionnaire, Yale Food Addiction Scale, PCL-Revised, Food craving State / Trait (FCS-FCST) questionnaires, Autism Spectrum Quotient, State-Trait Anxiety Questionnaire and Pain Sensitivity Questionnaire.

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Hyperinsulinemic euglycemic clamp

Low-dose hyperinsulinemic euglycemic clamp technique will be used to promote glucose uptake and measure insulin sensitivity of the subjects. In the clamp study subjects are administered intravenous insulin at a steady rate of 0.25 mU/kg/min and normoglycemia is maintained using a variable rate infusion of 20 % glucose based on plasma glucose measurements, which are performed every 5-10 min from arterialized venous blood.

Sponsors & Collaborators

• Turku University Hospital

  lead OTHER_GOV

Principal Investigators

• Pirjo Nuutila, M.D., Ph.D. · Turku PET Centre (Turku University Hospital)

Study Design

Allocation

NON_RANDOMIZED

Purpose

BASIC_SCIENCE

Masking

NONE

Model

FACTORIAL

Eligibility

Min Age

20 Years

Max Age

35 Years

Sex

MALE

Healthy Volunteers

Yes

Timeline & Regulatory

Start

2017-04-04

Primary Completion

2022-12-01

Completion

2022-12-01

Countries

• Finland

Study Locations