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Obesity / overweight

Individualized Pharmacological Approach to Obesity in Patients With Bipolar Disorder

Recruiting · Rochester, Minnesota

Study treatment at no costPHASE4

Always free

Study care at no cost to you

For your time and travel

Many studies pay you back

Most need no insurance or papers

Legal status usually isn't required; we'll tell you each study's requirements

Interpreters available

Ask for your language

Your choice

Voluntary — you can stop anytime

What is this study?

The goal of this clinical trial is to identify the specific characteristics (phenotypes) that may be useful to help select the right medication for weight loss, and to study the effect of individualized guided medication in patients with bipolar disorder ages 18-65. The main questions it aims to answer are: * Can the investigators compare the distribution of obesity characteristics (hungry brain, hungry gut, emotional hunger) between bipolar patients and non-bipolar participants (comparing from IRB #24-002375)?

It is , overseen by an independent and licensed medical staff.

Read the full clinical description

The goal of this clinical trial is to identify the specific characteristics (phenotypes) that may be useful to help select the right medication for weight loss, and to study the effect of individualized guided medication in patients with bipolar disorder ages 18-65. The main questions it aims to answer are: * Can the investigators compare the distribution of obesity characteristics (hungry brain, hungry gut, emotional hunger) between bipolar patients and non-bipolar participants (comparing from IRB #24-002375)? * Can the investigators evaluate the feasibility of anti-obesity medication (AOM) in patients with bipolar disorder? Participation will last for about 20 weeks and includes 8 in-person study visits, up to 11 phone call visits, and 13 virtual group therapy sessions. The first visit lasts about 2 hours and includes going over the informed consent form, a diagnostic interview to confirm diagnosis, gathering vital signs, mood questionnaires, an ECG, a blood draw, and urine drug and pregnancy tests (if applicable). The second visit lasts about 6-7 hours and involves multiple procedures and completing questionnaires to determine which study drug would allow participants to lose weight most effectively. At the third visit, participants will be assigned to take one of three FDA approved medications for weight loss: Semaglutide (Wegovy®), Naltrexone/Bupropion (Contrave®), or Phentermine/Topiramate (Qsymia®). It is possible that participants could be assigned to a group that receives no study medication. All participants will be enrolled in a 12-week virtual group therapy program targeted for weight loss. On this third visit the investigators will also gather vital signs, and participants will give a sample of blood. After the third visit, participants will come in for study visits every 4 weeks for 20 weeks (5 visits) to assess medication adherence, vitals, and answer questions about mood and eating (participants will also give a sample of blood at the 8-week and 20-week visits). For participants assigned to a study medication, the study team will call every week for the first 2 months (excluding in-person visit weeks) to assess mood and safety. After the first 2 months, the study team will call the participant every two weeks in between in-person visits. Participants will be compensated for time spent in this study. Participants assigned to a study medication will also be given the option to participate in the open-label phase of the study, which involves 3 follow-up visits (weeks 24, 36, and 48) over 7 months after the 20-week trial. During this phase, participants can continue to take the medication through their clinical care provider.

Who this study is looking for

In plain language, from the study's own rules. The study team confirms the full details with you — this isn't a final yes or no.

✅ You may be able to join if…

  • Adults age 18 to 65.
  • Someone with a SCID IV–confirmed diagnosis of bipolar disorder (BPI or BDII) or schizoaffective bipolar type (SZA-BD).
  • Meets the study weight requirement: BMI ≥ 30 kg/m2, or BMI ≥ 27 kg/m2 with at least one listed health problem.
  • Able to take part in the full phenotyping day as it is currently written.
  • If pregnant-capable: has a negative pregnancy test 48 hours before the study starts (for the obesity phenotyping visit).

🚫 You may not be able to join if…

  • Anyone who has had stomach weight-loss surgery, including gastric bypass, adjustable gastric band, or gastric sleeve.
  • Anyone with certain long-term stomach/absorption problems or medicines that change stomach movement or how the body absorbs food.
  • Anyone with significant untreated mental health instability (including active hypomania/mania, active psychosis, or active suicide thoughts based on the listed scales).
  • Anyone unwilling or unable to provide informed consent (e.g., involuntary commitment, conservatorship, or under a legal guardian).
  • Anyone with active bulimia or anorexia, or those with bulimia/anorexia in the past 12 months, or current drug/alcohol use disorders (except nicotine).

Are you a good fit?

Simplified highlights. The study team always confirms the full details with you.

  • Adults roughly 18–65
  • A BMI around 30 or higher
  • Have Obesity / overweight or Type 2 diabetes or High blood pressure or High cholesterol
  • !May require a break from current GLP-1 medications

What to expect, step by step

  1. 1

    Usually a few weeks

    The study team checks whether the study is a good fit for you, with a visit and sometimes lab tests. You can ask any questions before deciding.

  2. 2

    Treatment

    If you join and choose to continue, you receive the study treatment and are watched closely by medical staff.

  3. 3

    Follow-up

    After treatment, the team checks on your health and confirms the visit schedule with you. You can leave the study at any point.

Has this treatment been tested before?

Yes. This treatment has already been through earlier human studies for safety before reaching this stage.

What you need to know before you apply

What is this study testing?+

The goal of this clinical trial is to identify the specific characteristics (phenotypes) that may be useful to help select the right medication for weight loss, and to study the effect of individualized guided medication in patients with bipolar disorder ages 18-65. The main questions it aims to answer are: * Can the investigators compare the distribution of obesity characteristics (hungry brain, hungry gut, emotional hunger) between bipolar patients and non-bipolar participants (comparing from IRB #24-002375)?

Is it safe? Who makes sure of that?+

This is a study of an already-approved treatment (Phase 4). Every study is reviewed and monitored by an independent ethics board (called an IRB) whose job is to protect participants, and care is overseen by licensed medical staff. You'll be told the known risks before you agree to anything, and you can stop at any time.

Will I get a placebo instead of the real treatment?+

Some studies compare a treatment against a placebo (an inactive version), and some don't. If this one does, the study team will explain your chances of receiving the active treatment before you decide. Nothing is hidden from you.

I take a GLP-1 medication (like Ozempic or Wegovy). Can I still join?+

Maybe. This study may ask you to pause certain weight or diabetes medications for a period of time (a 'washout') before joining, or it may be looking for people not currently on them. The coordinator will review your medications with you — don't stop any medication on your own.

Does it cost anything? Will I be paid?+

The study treatment and study-related visits are provided at no cost to you. This study may also compensate you for your time and travel — the team will tell you the amount before you join. You should never be asked to pay to take part.

Do I need insurance? Will anyone ask about my immigration status?+

No. You do not need health insurance to take part in a research study, and you will not be asked about your immigration status to join. Taking part is about whether you're a medical fit for the study.

What if English isn't my first language?+

You have the right to understand everything before you agree. Study sites can often provide materials or an interpreter in your language — you can ask the coordinator for one.

Is my information private?+

Yes. Your health information is only shared with the study sites you choose to be contacted by, and only to help match and enroll you. It is never sold, and you can ask us to delete it at any time.

Some requirements (like specific lab values or timing) are confirmed directly by the study team, not by us.

Source: ClinicalTrials.gov · NCT07213466 · Locations: Minnesota