The goal of this clinical trial is to investigate how semaglutide affects the way the brain responds to food in adults with obesity and food addiction tendencies.
The main goals of this study are:
* To see if semaglutide changes dopamine-related activity in the brain during the look, smell, and drink period. * To see if semaglutide changes dopamine-related brain signals during the post-ingestive period. * To see if semaglutide changes psychological survey results and cognitive task results.
Adults with obesity and food addiction tendencies will join this study. Each participant will receive semaglutide treatment for 8 weeks. Each participant will have two brain scans using \[11C\]raclopride PET.
During each PET scan, participants will:
* View food images. * Receive chocolate milk through a tube while lying in the scanner. * Use a tablet during the scan to rate their hunger, desire for the chocolate milk drink, and liking of the drink.
Participants aged between 19 and 50 years.
Initial body mass index (BMI) of 30 kg/m2 or higher; or
Initial BMI of 27 kg/m2 to less than 30 kg/m2 with at least one weight-related comorbidity, such as dysglycemia, hypertension, dyslipidemia, obstructive sleep apnea, or cardiovascular disease.
Mild or greater food addiction tendency, defined as a Yale Food Addiction Scale (YFAS) score of 3 or higher.
Use of medications that may affect body weight or dopaminergic medications within the past 2 months.
Known hypersensitivity to semaglutide.
Pregnant, breastfeeding, or planning to become pregnant.
Severe renal impairment, hepatic impairment, heart failure, acute pancreatitis, or thyroid disease.