WISE-2B Brain Study (Weight Loss Intervention Surgical Effects on Brain Function)

NCT ID: NCT06861790

Last Updated: 2025-11-12

Study Results

Results pending

The study team has not published outcome measurements, participant flow, or safety data for this trial yet. Check back later for updates.

Basic Information

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Recruitment Status

RECRUITING

Clinical Phase

NA

Total Enrollment

120 participants

Study Classification

INTERVENTIONAL

Study Start Date

2025-11-10

Study Completion Date

2027-12-31

Brief Summary

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The goal of the study to understand the effects of weight loss and improvements in diabetes following bariatric surgery on brain function and thinking. This study will also examine whether non-invasive transcutaneous vagal nerve stimulation (tVNS) intervention initiated 30 days post-surgery improves brain function and thinking. The study does NOT cover any costs associated with bariatric surgery.

Detailed Description

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There will be one group of study participants.

The group will (independently of this research study) have weight loss surgery to help them with weight loss.

All research participants in this group will be tested on thinking and memory processes at the start of the study, after 12 weeks, and again at 18 months. They will also undergo a non-invasive transcutaneous vagal nerve stimulation (tVNS) intervention days post-surgery, for 30 days at home with the device that is provided.

The group will have an MRI Brain Scan at each time-point to study the changes in the structure and function of the brain tissue.

Blood tests will be done to measure the sugar levels in the blood, and other proteins that may act as markers for disease.

Conditions

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Diabetes Weight Loss

Keywords

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Weight loss and brain function Effects of bariatric surgery on brain function Reduced glucose insulin changes and brain function tVNS intervention post-surgery

Study Design

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Allocation Method

RANDOMIZED

Intervention Model

FACTORIAL

Primary Study Purpose

OTHER

Blinding Strategy

DOUBLE

Participants Investigators

Study Groups

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tVNS + anterior vagotomy

This arm will receive transcutaneous vagus nerve stimulation and an anterior vagotomy during their bariatric surgery. Note a vagotomy is standard practice during bariatric surgery.

Group Type EXPERIMENTAL

tVNS

Intervention Type BEHAVIORAL

Though we will be utilizing a tVNS (Transcutaneous Vegus Nerve Stimulation) device this study is not a device study. The device being used is being done so under its approved usage. The intervention utilizes a non-invasive process to stimulate the Vagus nerve using very small electrical currents. This intervention is completed daily for one month.

Anterior Vagotomy

Intervention Type PROCEDURE

Participants will not be receiving bariatric surgery as an intervention of this study. Instead, the study will enroll patients already planning on undergoing the surgery. The surgeon will utilize one of two surgical approaches which will be observed in this study.

tVNS + complete vagotomy

This arm will receive transcutaneous vagus nerve stimulation and a complete vagotomy during their bariatric surgery. Note a vagotomy is standard practice during bariatric surgery

Group Type EXPERIMENTAL

tVNS

Intervention Type BEHAVIORAL

Though we will be utilizing a tVNS (Transcutaneous Vegus Nerve Stimulation) device this study is not a device study. The device being used is being done so under its approved usage. The intervention utilizes a non-invasive process to stimulate the Vagus nerve using very small electrical currents. This intervention is completed daily for one month.

Complete Vagotomy

Intervention Type PROCEDURE

Participants will not be receiving bariatric surgery as an intervention of this study. Instead, the study will enroll patients already planning on undergoing the surgery. The surgeon will utilize one of two surgical approaches which will be observed in this study.

Sham + anterior vagotomy

This arm will not receive transcutaneous vagus nerve stimulation and will receive an anterior vagotomy during their bariatric surgery. Note a vagotomy is standard practice during bariatric surgery.

Group Type SHAM_COMPARATOR

Anterior Vagotomy

Intervention Type PROCEDURE

Participants will not be receiving bariatric surgery as an intervention of this study. Instead, the study will enroll patients already planning on undergoing the surgery. The surgeon will utilize one of two surgical approaches which will be observed in this study.

Sham + complete vagotomy

This arm will not receive transcutaneous vagus nerve stimulation and will receive a complete vagotomy during their bariatric surgery. Note a vagotomy is standard practice during bariatric surgery.

Group Type SHAM_COMPARATOR

Complete Vagotomy

Intervention Type PROCEDURE

Participants will not be receiving bariatric surgery as an intervention of this study. Instead, the study will enroll patients already planning on undergoing the surgery. The surgeon will utilize one of two surgical approaches which will be observed in this study.

Interventions

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tVNS

Though we will be utilizing a tVNS (Transcutaneous Vegus Nerve Stimulation) device this study is not a device study. The device being used is being done so under its approved usage. The intervention utilizes a non-invasive process to stimulate the Vagus nerve using very small electrical currents. This intervention is completed daily for one month.

Intervention Type BEHAVIORAL

Complete Vagotomy

Participants will not be receiving bariatric surgery as an intervention of this study. Instead, the study will enroll patients already planning on undergoing the surgery. The surgeon will utilize one of two surgical approaches which will be observed in this study.

Intervention Type PROCEDURE

Anterior Vagotomy

Participants will not be receiving bariatric surgery as an intervention of this study. Instead, the study will enroll patients already planning on undergoing the surgery. The surgeon will utilize one of two surgical approaches which will be observed in this study.

Intervention Type PROCEDURE

Eligibility Criteria

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Inclusion Criteria

* Between age: 20-75 yrs, English speaking, Physically mobile
* Body Mass Index (BMI) \>35 kg before surgery
* Compatible of MRI Scanning
* Willing to give a small blood sample
* Capable of providing informed consent

Exclusion Criteria

* Prior or current neurological disorder
* Major psychiatric disturbance
* Unstable medical conditions (cancer)
* MRI contraindications (claustrophobia, metal implants, waist/torso circumference)
Minimum Eligible Age

20 Years

Maximum Eligible Age

75 Years

Eligible Sex

ALL

Accepts Healthy Volunteers

Yes

Sponsors

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National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases (NIDDK)

NIH

Sponsor Role collaborator

University of Florida

OTHER

Sponsor Role lead

Responsible Party

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Responsibility Role SPONSOR

Principal Investigators

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Eric Porges, PhD

Role: PRINCIPAL_INVESTIGATOR

University of Florida

Locations

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University of Florida - College of Public Health and Health Professions

Gainesville, Florida, United States

Site Status RECRUITING

Countries

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United States

Central Contacts

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Keyanni J Johnson

Role: CONTACT

Phone: 3522945618

Email: [email protected]

Ronald Cohen, PhD

Role: CONTACT

Phone: 352-295-5840

Email: [email protected]

Facility Contacts

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Keyanni Johnson

Role: primary

Other Identifiers

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R01DK099334

Identifier Type: NIH

Identifier Source: secondary_id

View Link

IRB202301845

Identifier Type: -

Identifier Source: org_study_id