Reward Mechanisms in Obesity

The study aims to investigate the effects of 3.0 mg of liraglutide on reward brain circuits in human obesity and to better understand its effects on weight loss (in patients without diabetes). According to the study protocol, 70 obese patient will be evaluated at baseline and at 16-week (end of study) after daily subcutaneous injections of Saxenda® (liraglutide 3.0 mg) or Placebo by pen injector. All participants will first undergo a functional Magnetic Resonance Imaging (fMRI) session while being presented with gustatory stimuli. Second, participants will complete behavioural tasks (i.e., liking versus wanting, in the scanner) and questionnaires aiming at teasing apart reward mechanisms and emotional skills (e.g., emotional regulation ability) associated with food intake. Third, metabolic parameters and hormones involved in appetite regulation will be assessed and studied in relation to fMRI. These measurements will be repeated after 16 weeks in obese individuals. The control group of normal body weight individuals will be evaluated once at Baseline.