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The Influence of Obesity and Insulin Sensitivity on Reward Processing and Decision Making
Sponsor: Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University
Summary
Reward learning and decision-making processes, which operate largely outside of conscious control, shape food choices and eating behaviors. Excess adiposity is associated with differences in brain structure and functional connectivity underlying these processes, and insulin resistance, which commonly co-occurs with excess adiposity, has been linked with dopamine signaling that is crucial for these processes. However, whether and how excess adiposity and insulin resistance affect reward learning and decision-making remains poorly understood. This study will address that gap, examining the effects of excess adiposity and insulin resistance, and their interaction, on processes of reward learning and decision-making in food-specific and general contexts.
Key Details
Gender
All
Age Range
18 Years - 45 Years
Study Type
INTERVENTIONAL
Enrollment
50
Start Date
2026-09-01
Completion Date
2029-07-01
Last Updated
2026-08-25
Healthy Volunteers
Yes
Interventions
Beverage: Conditioned Stimulus -
Participants will consume flavored beverage solutions sweetened with sucralose during 6 conditioning sessions.
Beverage: Conditioned Stimulus +
Participants will consume flavored beverage solutions sweetened with sucralose and containing 110 calories of maltodextrin during 6 conditioning sessions.