Effect of Liraglutide on Neural Responses to High Fructose Corn Syrup in Individuals With Obesity.

Adolescents are the highest consumers of sugar sweetened beverages (SSB) potentially because
their developing brains are most susceptible to the rewarding neural effects of sugar
consumption. Thus, we specifically target this population (adolescents) to understand neural
mechanisms involved in excess sugar consumption which predisposes to the development of
obesity, prediabetes, and type 2 diabetes.

Inclusion Criteria:

1. 18-25 years old

2. Lean (BMI 18.5-24.9 kg/m2) with normoglycemia

3. Obese (BMI 30-40 kg/m2) with or without prediabetes

4. Weight stable

5. Right handed

6. Able to read and write in English

7. Able to provide written and verbal informed consent

Exclusion Criteria:

1. Current active participation in a weight loss program or weight loss of >=10% of total
body weight during the previous 6 months

2. Prior bariatric surgery or current gastric balloon

3. Weight >440lbs or waist circumference >142cm

4. Following a vegetarian/vegan diet or dieting/restricting food

5. Significant medical condition

6. Current use of weight-loss medications or supplements, psychiatric medications or
anti- hyperglycemic medications

7. History of or family history of multiple endocrine neoplasia type 1 (MEN-I) or
medullary thyroid cancer, alcoholism, or previous history of pancreatitis

8. Females who are pregnant or lactating, or who are unwilling to use proper
contraception or remain abstinent,

9. Claustrophobia that would interfere with MRI or metal in their body that would pose a
risk in the MRI.