Plain-English translation of NCT00739362 on ClinicalTrials.gov ↗ · Source last updated · Translation generated · How we translate trials
Phase 2 — Testing in a bigger group (up to a few hundred people) to see if the treatment actually works and is still safe.
Researchers have discovered that a specific brain region involved in hunger and fullness signals is less active in people with obesity. This trial is testing transcranial direct current stimulation (tDCS)—a non-invasive procedure that sends mild electrical currents through the scalp to stimulate this brain region—to see if the treatment can reduce cravings for snack foods and improve weight loss when combined with a calorie-controlled diet. The study will track both how much food participants eat and changes in their brain activity using imaging scans.
Current weight loss treatments don't work for everyone, and many people struggle with food cravings even when they're trying to diet. This research aims to find out whether stimulating a specific brain region can help control appetite signals and make it easier for people to stick with a weight loss program.
You would visit the research clinic 3 times per week for 9 weeks to receive brain stimulation sessions. During each visit, you'll receive either active brain stimulation or a sham (placebo) stimulation to the left side of your forehead—neither you nor the researchers will know which at first. You'll also follow a diet that reduces your calories by 25 percent from your normal intake. At certain points, you'll have brain imaging scans (called fMRI) to help researchers understand how the stimulation affects your brain. After the 9-week study ends, you'll return for follow-up weight measurements at 6 months and 1 year.
AI-generated summary from trial data · Jul 14, 2026 · Not medical advice
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