To Predict Weight Loss Response to Liraglutide (Saxenda®), From fMRI-based Determination of Food Cue Reactivity

The study is a single center, randomized, double blind, placebo controlled; parallel‐group repeated measures design. Subjects will be randomly assigned to either Saxenda® or placebo group after baseline assessments. The study will consist of a 4‐week partial dose period (Liraglutide 0.6mg, 1.2mg, 1.8mg, 2.4 mg) and a 12‐week full‐dose (Liraglutide 3.0 mg) period. The placebo group will administer equivalent volumes of the pre‐filled solutions from pen‐injector at the same time, using the same method during this period. The study proposes to identify factors contributing to early weight loss response in a Saxenda® treatment program. Specifically, the proposed experiments will help determine if Saxenda® changes brain functional Magnetic Resonance Imaging Food Cue Reactivity (fMRI‐FCR) and whether the magnitude of that change is associated with changes in behavioral and physiological variables (hunger, satiety, cravings and weight loss).