Belly fat in midlife linked to Alzheimer's brain changes?
NCT ID NCT05077579
First seen Jun 27, 2026 · Last updated Jun 27, 2026
Summary
This study looks at 240 adults aged 40-60 to see if being overweight or obese in midlife is linked to early signs of Alzheimer's in the brain. Participants will have metabolic tests and brain scans (MRI and PET) to measure inflammation, brain shrinkage, and protein buildup. The goal is to understand why midlife obesity may raise Alzheimer's risk, not to test a treatment.
What this could mean
Our plain-language read of the trial. This is informational only, not medical advice or a prediction.
- What this could lead to
- If successful, this study could reveal how excess body fat in midlife contributes to Alzheimer's disease, pointing to new prevention strategies.
- What could go wrong
- This is an observational study, not a treatment trial. It may not find clear links between obesity and Alzheimer's biomarkers, and results may not apply to all populations.
This is an AI summary of the original study and may miss details. Read our disclaimer.
Study facts
What this study's own registry entry says, in plain language.
- Participants
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About 240 people
The number the study aims to enrol. It can still change while the study runs.
- Started
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Oct 2021
- Expected to finish
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Dec 2027
An estimate. End dates often move.
- Lead sponsor
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Other sponsor
The registry's catch-all category, for sponsors it does not file as a company, a government agency, or a research network.
Who can take part
This study's own entry requirements. Only the study team can say for certain whether you qualify.
Who is studied
We currently have IRB-approved protocols covering ongoing imaging that meet the eligibility criteria. The Washington University Knight Alzheimer's Disease Research Center and the Center for Human Nutrition will refer participants . The Knight ADRC primarily recruits participants by means of word of mouth and public service announcements from the greater metropolitan St. Louis area. We will also coordinate these efforts with the Center for Human Nutrition to maximize potential participants from their studies. A small percentage (\~17%) of participants are referred by Washington University physicians. The Research Participant Registry/Volunteer for Health (VFH) Program at Washington University in St. Louis (https://vfh.wustl.edu) will also be utilized.
- Ages
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40 to 60 years
- Sex
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Anyone
- Healthy volunteers
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Accepted
You do not need to have the condition being studied to take part.
Show the full entry requirements Hide the full entry requirements
Copied word for word from the study's registry entry, so the wording is the study team's rather than ours.
Inclusion Criteria: 1. Male and female, 40-60 years of age and any race; 2. MMSE = or greater than 25 or a Clinical Dementia Rating Scale (CDR)=0; 3. Willing and able to undergo MRI 4. Willing to complete PET scans, including \[11C\]PiB and 18F-AV-1451 (Flortaucipir) radioactive tracer injection under protocols IRB #201409014 \& 201906028 5. Willing to participate in the metabolic subtyping of metabolically normal or abnormal overweight or obese status for the following three groups: a. Group 1: MAOO criteria: i. BMI ≥25 but \<45 kg/m2; ii. Maximum body circumference \< 165 cm to ensure participants fit into the PET/CT and MR scanners; iii. Fasting blood glucose: ≥100 mg/dl or blood glucose 2 h after an OGTT: ≥140 or fasting insulin: \>20 µu/ml; b. Group 2: MNOO criteria: i. BMI ≥ 25 but \<45 kg/m2; ii. Maximum body circumference \< 165 cm to ensure participants fit into the PET/CT and MR scanners; iii. Blood glucose 2 h after an OGTT: iv. HbA1c \< 5.7% v. Fasting insulin: \< 20 µu/ml; c. Group 3: MNLP criteria: i. BMI ≥18.5 but \< 25.0 kg/m2; ii. Maximum body circumference \< 165 cm to ensure subjects fit into the PET/CT and MR scanners; iii. Fasting blood glucose: \< 100 mg/dl; iv. Blood glucose 2 h after an OGTT: \< 140 mg/dl; v. HbA1c \< 5.7% vi. Fasting insulin: \< 20 µu/ml; Exclusion Criteria: 1. Any condition that in the opinion of the Investigator or designee could increase the risk to the participant, limit the participant's ability to tolerate the research procedures or interfere with the collection of the data, (e.g., currently taking a drug for treatment of obesity); 2. Intend to have bariatric surgery; 3. Inability to tolerate to lie still during the scanning procedures (e.g., severe, chronic back pain); 4. Severe claustrophobia; 5. Women who are currently pregnant or breast-feeding; 6. Currently receiving an active obesity study drug (or placebo) or in an obesity clinical trial; 7. Laboratory Evaluations exclusion: • Oral glucose tolerance test should not be performed in patients who already fulfill the criteria for diabetes mellitus. These include: - History of Type 1 or 2 diabetes mellitus - Prior documentation of a fasting plasma glucose \>7.0 mmol/L or two or more occasions or clinical symptoms of diabetes e.g. polydipsia, polyuria, ketonuria and rapid weight loss with a random plasma glucose of \>11.1 mmol/L • Other contraindications for venous access as part of OGTT or blood draws: - Venous fibrosis or shunt grafts in both upper extremities - Ongoing cellulitis or infection, particularly in the upper extremities. - Presence of a hematoma at the site of vascular access. - History of hypoglycemic encephalopathy that can occur with prolonged fasting 8. MRI exclusion: • Contraindications to MRI (e.g., certain incompatible electronic medical devices that make it potentially unsafe for the individual to participate). All participants must be willing to undergo at least two MRI screenings, supervised by Level II MRI personnel as designated by the American College of Radiology (ACR).
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Conditions
The condition(s) this trial relates to.
As listed by the trial registrant
The condition terms exactly as the trial's registrant entered them.
How to take part
Only the study team decides who joins. These are the ways to reach them.
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The places running it
1 site. The list below names each one and where it is.
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The official record
ClinicalTrials.gov lists the study team's own contact details, including names and phone numbers. We don't republish those.
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A doctor treating you
A doctor who knows your case can contact a study site on your behalf, and can tell you whether this study is worth pursuing at all.
Contacts and locations
Locations
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Washington University School of Medicine
RECRUITINGSt Louis, Missouri, 63110, United States
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