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Purpose

The goal of this clinical study with research procedures is to learn how stopping and restarting tirzepatide (a medication that helps regulate blood sugar and appetite) affects brain activity, behavior, and health in adults ages 18-70 who are currently taking tirzepatide. Specifically, the study aims to examine how a short pause in tirzepatide affects hunger, mood, sleep, and daily functioning; how stopping and restarting tirzepatide alters brain chemistry and brain responses to food-related images; and how these changes relate to health measures such as quality of life and emotional well-being. There is no comparison group; instead, researchers will assess changes within each participant across three time points: while taking tirzepatide, after stopping it for 3-4 weeks, and after restarting it for 6-8 weeks. Participants will attend three in-person visits lasting approximately 3-4 hours each, during which they will complete interviews, questionnaires, and cognitive tasks; provide a urine sample (pregnancy screening for females); undergo a brain scan using magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) and MR spectroscopy (MRS); and receive a kit to provide a small stool sample. Participants will also complete two brief check-in phone calls between visits and the online BrainHealth Index between sessions, which includes surveys and cognitive tasks. All changes to tirzepatide use will occur under the supervision of a study physician to support participant safety and comfort, and the total study duration is approximately 13 weeks.

Conditions

Eligibility

Eligible Ages
Between 18 Years and 70 Years
Eligible Sex
All
Accepts Healthy Volunteers
No

Inclusion Criteria

  • Aged 18-70 years. - Currently on tirzepatide. - Currently receiving care from University of Texas- Southwestern (UTSW) Weight Wellness Clinic. - Cognitively capable of understanding and signing informed consent. - Be proficient in English.

Exclusion Criteria

  • History of major neurological or psychiatric disorders, including substance use disorders that might confound brain imaging results (e.g., stroke, epilepsy, multiple sclerosis, schizophrenia, major depression requiring hospitalization). - Diagnosis of Type 2 Diabetes. - Current diagnosis of an eating disorder. - Use of medications affecting weight other than tirzepatide. - Pregnancy or breastfeeding. - MR contraindications: - Heart pacemaker, heart valve replacement, or aortic clips - Metal fragments in the eyes, skin, or elsewhere in the body - Brain clips or pieces of metal used in aneurysm surgery or intercranial bypass - Venous umbrella - Pieces of metal in the body resulting from work as a sheet-metal worker or welder - Clips placed in an internal organ - Prosthetic devices, such as middle ear, eye, joint, or penile implants - Joint replacement - Hearing aid that cannot be removed - Neurostimulator - Insulin pump - Shunts or stents - Metal mesh or coil implants - Metal plate, pin, screws, or wires, or any other metal implants

Study Design

Phase
N/A
Study Type
Interventional
Allocation
N/A
Intervention Model
Single Group Assignment
Primary Purpose
Basic Science
Masking
None (Open Label)

Arm Groups

ArmDescriptionAssigned Intervention
Experimental
Tirzepatide Discontinuation and Re-Initiation Arm 		Participants in this single-group arm will complete three study visits that occur while they are taking tirzepatide, during a 3-4 week pause from the medication, and after they restart tirzepatide for 6-8 weeks. All medication changes are supervised by a study physician. At each visit, participants will complete interviews, questionnaires, cognitive tasks, magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) brain scans, and provide stool samples. They will also complete two short check-in phone calls and an online BrainHealth Index assessment between visits.
  • Other: Discontinuation and Reinitiation of Tirzepatide
    Participants will temporarily pause their tirzepatide medication for 3-4 weeks and then restart it for 6-8 weeks under the supervision of a study physician. The medication change is done only for research purposes to study how stopping and restarting tirzepatide affects brain activity, appetite, mood, and other health measures. During this period, participants will complete MRI scans, behavioral assessments, questionnaires, and provide stool samples across three study visits.

Recruiting Locations

Center for BrainHealth
Dallas, Texas 75235
Contact:
Samuel M Poelker-Wells, Master of Science
972-883-3375
sxp230129@utdallas.edu

More Details

Status
Recruiting
Sponsor
The University of Texas at Dallas

Study Contact

Samuel H Poelker-Wells, Master of Science
972-883-3375
sxp230129@utdallas.edu

Detailed Description

This study specifically recruits individuals currently being prescribed for tirzepatide. The experimental design will consist of a brief discontinuation of the drug for roughly 3-4 weeks followed by a reinitiation of the medication. Prescription and administration of tirzepatide is done as part of normal patient care and is not a component of the study.

Notice

Study information shown on this site is derived from ClinicalTrials.gov (a public registry operated by the National Institutes of Health). The listing of studies provided is not certain to be all studies for which you might be eligible. Furthermore, study eligibility requirements can be difficult to understand and may change over time, so it is wise to speak with your medical care provider and individual research study teams when making decisions related to participation.