The goal of this research is to investigate genetic and environmental factors that contribute to obesity through brain inflammation. The main questions are 1) if identical twins, who differ in food consumption habits, have differences in adiposity markers and brain inflammation and 2) if signs of brain inflammation in response to a specific diet is modified by genetics.
In study 1, participant twin pairs that differ in habitual diet intake, will complete an in-person study visit that includes an MRI of the brain and abdomen, body composition measurement, a blood draw and questionnaires. In study 2, a different set of participant twin pairs will complete 3 in-person study visits over 2 weeks, during which all meals will be provided by the study. Visits will include brain MRI, body composition measurements, blood draws and questionnaires.
Study Type
INTERVENTIONAL
Allocation
NON_RANDOMIZED
Purpose
BASIC_SCIENCE
Masking
NONE
Enrollment
110
Participants will be provided all meals for a 14-day period. For 7 of the days, meals will be 150% of estimated daily caloric needs and for the other 7 days, meals will be low in calories, consistent with recommendations for weight loss.
University of Washington
Seattle, Washington, United States
Study 1: Hypothalamic Gliosis
T2 relaxation time as measured by brain MRI
Time frame: at enrollment
Study 2: Hypothalamic Gliosis
T2 relaxation time as measured by brain MRI
Time frame: 7 days of diet intervention
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