Study of Brain and Behavioral Effects When Adults Pause and Restart Tirzepatide Medication

What this Trial Is About

Researchers are studying how temporarily stopping and then restarting tirzepatide, a medication used to regulate blood sugar and appetite, impacts brain activity, behavior, and health in adults aged 18 to 70 who are currently taking the drug. The study focuses on effects such as changes in hunger, mood, sleep, and daily function. It aims to understand brain chemistry and brain responses to food images during these medication changes and how these relate to quality of life and emotional well-being. Participants will pause tirzepatide for 3 to 4 weeks and then restart it for 6 to 8 weeks, all under a study physicians supervision. The study includes three in-person visits during which participants undergo brain scans using MRI and MR spectroscopy, provide stool and urine samples, complete interviews, questionnaires, and cognitive tasks. Between visits, participants will complete two brief phone check-ins and an online BrainHealth Index assessment. Throughout the approximately 13-week study, researchers will monitor changes in brain responses to food cues, brain connectivity, brain glutamate levels, cravings, mood, stress, sleep quality, eating behaviors, and cognitive function. Safety and comfort are maintained by medical supervision during medication changes. The study collects detailed behavioral and biological data to better understand the effects of tirzepatide discontinuation and reinitiation.

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