Trial Outcomes & Findings for GLP-1 Analogue Effects on Food Cues, Stress, Motivation for Highly Palatable Foods, and Weight (NCT NCT04779697)

NCT ID: NCT04779697

Last Updated: 2026-02-10

Results Overview

Change in craving score will be measured using a validated and revised questionnaire called Food Craving Inventory (FCI-R). FCI-R is an 28-item questionnaire that measures how often participants experienced specific food cravings for each of 28 different food types. Participants can respond to each item from "not at all" (score=1) to "more than ever" (score=5), with total FCI-R score range of 28-140. Higher mean scores indicate greater average food craving. A negative change indicates a decrease in craving with treatment.

Recruitment status

COMPLETED

Study phase

PHASE1

Target enrollment

96 participants

Primary outcome timeframe

Average change in avg FCI craving score from week 0 to end of treatment (week 12) computed as avg FCI score at week 12 - avg FCI score at Week 0.

Results posted on

2026-02-10

Participant Flow

Participant milestones

Participant milestones
Measure
GLP-1a
GLP-1a Semaglutide target dose of 1.2 mg administered weekly over 12 weeks GLP-1 analogue - semaglutide: GLP-1 analogue - semaglutide - administered once weekly for a total of 12 weeks
Placebo
Placebo pen administered weekly over 12 weeks Placebo: Placebo - administered once weekly for a total of 12 weeks
Overall Study
STARTED
48
48
Overall Study
COMPLETED
43
43
Overall Study
NOT COMPLETED
5
5

Reasons for withdrawal

Withdrawal data not reported

Baseline Characteristics

GLP-1 Analogue Effects on Food Cues, Stress, Motivation for Highly Palatable Foods, and Weight

Baseline characteristics by cohort

Baseline characteristics by cohort
Measure
Placebo
n=43 Participants
Placebo pen administered weekly over 12 weeks Placebo: Placebo - administered once weekly for a total of 12 weeks
Total
n=86 Participants
Total of all reporting groups
GLP-1a
n=43 Participants
GLP-1a Semaglutide target dose of 1.2 mg administered weekly over 12 weeks GLP-1 analogue - semaglutide: GLP-1 analogue - semaglutide - administered once weekly for a total of 12 weeks
Age, Continuous
36 years
STANDARD_DEVIATION 8.7 • n=1581 Participants
36.3 years
STANDARD_DEVIATION 9.0 • n=4626 Participants
36.6 years
STANDARD_DEVIATION 9.4 • n=41 Participants
Sex: Female, Male
Female
32 Participants
n=1581 Participants
62 Participants
n=4626 Participants
30 Participants
n=41 Participants
Sex: Female, Male
Male
11 Participants
n=1581 Participants
24 Participants
n=4626 Participants
13 Participants
n=41 Participants
Ethnicity (NIH/OMB)
Hispanic or Latino
10 Participants
n=1581 Participants
22 Participants
n=4626 Participants
12 Participants
n=41 Participants
Ethnicity (NIH/OMB)
Not Hispanic or Latino
33 Participants
n=1581 Participants
64 Participants
n=4626 Participants
31 Participants
n=41 Participants
Ethnicity (NIH/OMB)
Unknown or Not Reported
0 Participants
n=1581 Participants
0 Participants
n=4626 Participants
0 Participants
n=41 Participants
Race (NIH/OMB)
American Indian or Alaska Native
0 Participants
n=1581 Participants
0 Participants
n=4626 Participants
0 Participants
n=41 Participants
Race (NIH/OMB)
Asian
1 Participants
n=1581 Participants
3 Participants
n=4626 Participants
2 Participants
n=41 Participants
Race (NIH/OMB)
Native Hawaiian or Other Pacific Islander
0 Participants
n=1581 Participants
0 Participants
n=4626 Participants
0 Participants
n=41 Participants
Race (NIH/OMB)
Black or African American
8 Participants
n=1581 Participants
15 Participants
n=4626 Participants
7 Participants
n=41 Participants
Race (NIH/OMB)
White
29 Participants
n=1581 Participants
55 Participants
n=4626 Participants
26 Participants
n=41 Participants
Race (NIH/OMB)
More than one race
1 Participants
n=1581 Participants
4 Participants
n=4626 Participants
3 Participants
n=41 Participants
Race (NIH/OMB)
Unknown or Not Reported
4 Participants
n=1581 Participants
9 Participants
n=4626 Participants
5 Participants
n=41 Participants
Region of Enrollment
United States
43 participants
n=1581 Participants
86 participants
n=4626 Participants
43 participants
n=41 Participants
Years of Education
16.4 years
STANDARD_DEVIATION 2.7 • n=1581 Participants
16.3 years
STANDARD_DEVIATION 2.5 • n=4626 Participants
16.1 years
STANDARD_DEVIATION 2.3 • n=41 Participants
Regularly Use Substances
Yes
13 Participants
n=1581 Participants
34 Participants
n=4626 Participants
21 Participants
n=41 Participants
Regularly Use Substances
No
30 Participants
n=1581 Participants
52 Participants
n=4626 Participants
22 Participants
n=41 Participants
Baseline Body Mass Index (BMI)
36.9 kg/m^2
STANDARD_DEVIATION 4.2 • n=1581 Participants
37.1 kg/m^2
STANDARD_DEVIATION 4.3 • n=4626 Participants
37.3 kg/m^2
STANDARD_DEVIATION 4.5 • n=41 Participants

PRIMARY outcome

Timeframe: Average change in avg FCI craving score from week 0 to end of treatment (week 12) computed as avg FCI score at week 12 - avg FCI score at Week 0.

Change in craving score will be measured using a validated and revised questionnaire called Food Craving Inventory (FCI-R). FCI-R is an 28-item questionnaire that measures how often participants experienced specific food cravings for each of 28 different food types. Participants can respond to each item from "not at all" (score=1) to "more than ever" (score=5), with total FCI-R score range of 28-140. Higher mean scores indicate greater average food craving. A negative change indicates a decrease in craving with treatment.

Outcome measures

Outcome measures
Measure
Placebo
n=43 Participants
Placebo pen administered weekly over 12 weeks Placebo: Placebo - administered once weekly for a total of 12 weeks
GLP-1a
n=43 Participants
GLP-1a Semaglutide target dose of 1.2 mg administered weekly over 12 weeks GLP-1 analogue - semaglutide: GLP-1 analogue - semaglutide - administered once weekly for a total of 12 weeks
Change in Craving Score
-0.3 score
Standard Deviation 0.4
-0.7 score
Standard Deviation 0.6

PRIMARY outcome

Timeframe: Average change in hunger VAS rating from week 0 and end of study week 12 (week 12 VAS - Week 0 VAS)

Population: Data presented here is for all participants that completed the assessment.

Hunger will be measured in a Visual Analog Scale (VAS) range from 0 to 10. Higher VAS indicates greater hunger. Negative change in score indicates less hunger with treatment.

Outcome measures

Outcome measures
Measure
Placebo
n=38 Participants
Placebo pen administered weekly over 12 weeks Placebo: Placebo - administered once weekly for a total of 12 weeks
GLP-1a
n=40 Participants
GLP-1a Semaglutide target dose of 1.2 mg administered weekly over 12 weeks GLP-1 analogue - semaglutide: GLP-1 analogue - semaglutide - administered once weekly for a total of 12 weeks
Change in Hunger Score
-0.1 score
Standard Deviation 1.7
-0.5 score
Standard Deviation 1.7

PRIMARY outcome

Timeframe: Change in FST total calorie energy density (totalcalED)from FST at week 0 and FST during treatment at week 12 (week 12 FST - Week 0 FST totalcalED change)

Population: Data presented here is for all participants that completed the assessment.

Food intake will be measured in total calorie energy density during a validated observed laboratory task called the Food Snack Test (FST).Negative change indicates a lower food intake with treatment.

Outcome measures

Outcome measures
Measure
Placebo
n=38 Participants
Placebo pen administered weekly over 12 weeks Placebo: Placebo - administered once weekly for a total of 12 weeks
GLP-1a
n=40 Participants
GLP-1a Semaglutide target dose of 1.2 mg administered weekly over 12 weeks GLP-1 analogue - semaglutide: GLP-1 analogue - semaglutide - administered once weekly for a total of 12 weeks
Change in Food Intake
0.4 Kcalories
Standard Deviation 2.4
-0.4 Kcalories
Standard Deviation 1.8

SECONDARY outcome

Timeframe: Average change from baseline to end of treatment (Kcalories at week 12 - week 0)

Population: Data presented here is from all participants that completed the assessment.

Food intake will be measured in Kcalories using 3-day 24hr recall (ASA24). A negative change indicates lower food intake with treatment.

Outcome measures

Outcome measures
Measure
Placebo
n=37 Participants
Placebo pen administered weekly over 12 weeks Placebo: Placebo - administered once weekly for a total of 12 weeks
GLP-1a
n=38 Participants
GLP-1a Semaglutide target dose of 1.2 mg administered weekly over 12 weeks GLP-1 analogue - semaglutide: GLP-1 analogue - semaglutide - administered once weekly for a total of 12 weeks
Change in Food Intake - Real-World
-124.5 Kcalories
Standard Deviation 583.5
-485.7 Kcalories
Standard Deviation 657.6

SECONDARY outcome

Timeframe: Average change in stress score from week 0 to end of treatment week 12 (Week 12 - Week 0)

Population: Data presented here is from all participants that completed the assessment.

Stress, measured as total summed score on the 14-item Perceived Stress Scale, with higher scores indicating greater subjective stress. A negative change indicates lower stress with treatment. The Perceived Stress Scale (PSS)-14 has a total score range of 0 to 56, with individual items scored from 0 ("Never") to 4 ("Very often") and positively worded items reverse-scored before summing.

Outcome measures

Outcome measures
Measure
Placebo
n=40 Participants
Placebo pen administered weekly over 12 weeks Placebo: Placebo - administered once weekly for a total of 12 weeks
GLP-1a
n=36 Participants
GLP-1a Semaglutide target dose of 1.2 mg administered weekly over 12 weeks GLP-1 analogue - semaglutide: GLP-1 analogue - semaglutide - administered once weekly for a total of 12 weeks
Change in Stress Score
-1.7 score
Standard Deviation 8.1
-2.8 score
Standard Deviation 7.2

OTHER_PRE_SPECIFIED outcome

Timeframe: Average Weight Change from baseline week 0 to end of treatment week 12 (Week 12 - week 0)

Percent change in Weight in kilograms will be assessed using a bioimpedance scale. higher negative score indicates greater change with treatment.

Outcome measures

Outcome measures
Measure
Placebo
n=43 Participants
Placebo pen administered weekly over 12 weeks Placebo: Placebo - administered once weekly for a total of 12 weeks
GLP-1a
n=43 Participants
GLP-1a Semaglutide target dose of 1.2 mg administered weekly over 12 weeks GLP-1 analogue - semaglutide: GLP-1 analogue - semaglutide - administered once weekly for a total of 12 weeks
Change in Weight
-0.17 percent change
Standard Deviation 4.01
-4.53 percent change
Standard Deviation 4.59

Adverse Events

GLP-1a

Serious events: 1 serious events
Other events: 39 other events
Deaths: 0 deaths

Placebo

Serious events: 0 serious events
Other events: 32 other events
Deaths: 0 deaths

Serious adverse events

Serious adverse events
Measure
GLP-1a
n=48 participants at risk
GLP-1a Semaglutide target dose of 1.2 mg administered weekly over 12 weeks GLP-1 analogue - semaglutide: GLP-1 analogue - semaglutide - administered once weekly for a total of 12 weeks
Placebo
n=48 participants at risk
Placebo pen administered weekly over 12 weeks Placebo: Placebo - administered once weekly for a total of 12 weeks
General disorders
Chest Pain
2.1%
1/48 • Number of events 1 • 12 weeks
0.00%
0/48 • 12 weeks

Other adverse events

Other adverse events
Measure
GLP-1a
n=48 participants at risk
GLP-1a Semaglutide target dose of 1.2 mg administered weekly over 12 weeks GLP-1 analogue - semaglutide: GLP-1 analogue - semaglutide - administered once weekly for a total of 12 weeks
Placebo
n=48 participants at risk
Placebo pen administered weekly over 12 weeks Placebo: Placebo - administered once weekly for a total of 12 weeks
Gastrointestinal disorders
Abdominal Pain
31.2%
15/48 • Number of events 31 • 12 weeks
20.8%
10/48 • Number of events 10 • 12 weeks
Gastrointestinal disorders
Bloating/Gas
10.4%
5/48 • Number of events 12 • 12 weeks
6.2%
3/48 • Number of events 4 • 12 weeks
Gastrointestinal disorders
Constipation/Hard Stools
18.8%
9/48 • Number of events 11 • 12 weeks
6.2%
3/48 • Number of events 4 • 12 weeks
Gastrointestinal disorders
Diarrhea
29.2%
14/48 • Number of events 26 • 12 weeks
10.4%
5/48 • Number of events 10 • 12 weeks
Gastrointestinal disorders
Gastroesophogeal Reflux
18.8%
9/48 • Number of events 17 • 12 weeks
2.1%
1/48 • Number of events 3 • 12 weeks
Gastrointestinal disorders
Lack/Loss of Appetite
12.5%
6/48 • Number of events 8 • 12 weeks
6.2%
3/48 • Number of events 3 • 12 weeks
Gastrointestinal disorders
Nausea
58.3%
28/48 • Number of events 75 • 12 weeks
20.8%
10/48 • Number of events 15 • 12 weeks
Gastrointestinal disorders
Vomiting
27.1%
13/48 • Number of events 28 • 12 weeks
4.2%
2/48 • Number of events 2 • 12 weeks
General disorders
Chills
10.4%
5/48 • Number of events 5 • 12 weeks
2.1%
1/48 • Number of events 1 • 12 weeks
General disorders
Fatigue
14.6%
7/48 • Number of events 9 • 12 weeks
6.2%
3/48 • Number of events 3 • 12 weeks
General disorders
Fever
10.4%
5/48 • Number of events 5 • 12 weeks
0.00%
0/48 • 12 weeks
General disorders
Injection Site Reaction
10.4%
5/48 • Number of events 5 • 12 weeks
0.00%
0/48 • 12 weeks
Injury, poisoning and procedural complications
Bruising
2.1%
1/48 • Number of events 1 • 12 weeks
8.3%
4/48 • Number of events 12 • 12 weeks
Musculoskeletal and connective tissue disorders
Myalgia
8.3%
4/48 • Number of events 4 • 12 weeks
4.2%
2/48 • Number of events 2 • 12 weeks
Nervous system disorders
Dizziness
8.3%
4/48 • Number of events 9 • 12 weeks
2.1%
1/48 • Number of events 1 • 12 weeks
Nervous system disorders
Headache/Migraine
29.2%
14/48 • Number of events 26 • 12 weeks
18.8%
9/48 • Number of events 16 • 12 weeks
Respiratory, thoracic and mediastinal disorders
Rhinorrhea
6.2%
3/48 • Number of events 4 • 12 weeks
2.1%
1/48 • Number of events 1 • 12 weeks
Respiratory, thoracic and mediastinal disorders
Sore Throat/Throat Infection
8.3%
4/48 • Number of events 4 • 12 weeks
4.2%
2/48 • Number of events 2 • 12 weeks
Respiratory, thoracic and mediastinal disorders
Cough
6.2%
3/48 • Number of events 3 • 12 weeks
8.3%
4/48 • Number of events 4 • 12 weeks

Additional Information

Ania Jastreboff, MD, PhD

Yale University / Yale School of Medicine

Phone: 203-737-1932

Results disclosure agreements

  • Principal investigator is a sponsor employee
  • Publication restrictions are in place