Please note: This trial has finished recruiting and is not accepting new participants.

Research Center: UCLA Goodman-Luskin Microbiome Center
Location: UCLA Center for Health Sciences, 10833 Le Conte Ave, Los Angeles CA 90095
Lead Researchers: Dr. Arpana Gupta, and Dr. Tien Dong
IRB: This study has been reviewed and approved by the UCLA Institutional Review Board 22-000796

Are you struggling with weight concerns, food cravings, or unhealthy eating patterns? If so, there’s exciting new research that may interest you. Researchers from the UCLA Goodman-Luskin Microbiome Center are exploring whether a new probiotic blend can help people lose weight, combat food cravings, and improve cognitive function.

Obesity is a major health issue linked to various illnesses like heart disease and diabetes. Moreover, food addiction, a major cause of obesity, may stem from reduced levels of protective bacteria in the gut. This study aims to understand how a probiotic intervention might modify the brain-gut axis to help tackle these challenges. If successful, this probiotic could become available for purchase, offering a new option for weight loss and improved cognitive functioning.

Interested? See if you qualify for this study.

• Participants will receive a new potential weight loss probiotic at no cost, but only while they are participating in the study. The probiotic will not be available to them after their participation has been completed. It is hoped that this probiotic blend will become commercially available, but there is no anticipated timeline for when that may happen.
• Participants will be compensated between $150 to $200 for participating in this study. They will also receive free parking during the time that you will spend in the study activities. Compensation will only be provided to eligible participants who complete the study.
• Participants may experience potential benefits such as weight loss, improvements in their mood, increased cognitive functioning, and decreased food cravings.
• Participants will be contributing valuable information that may benefit those with weight concerns in the future.
• Participants will be helping to advance medical research.

• If you decide to participate in the study and later feel that you no longer wish to be part of it, you can withdraw at any time.
• Any information that you provide will be kept strictly confidential, except as required by law.
• Qualified health professionals will monitor your health as it relates to the study.

• Men and women aged 18-50 who have a BMI of 25-40 kg/m2
• Must be able to speak and write in English
• Must not have been taking any antibiotics in the last 3 months
• Must not have been taking any probiotics in the last month
• Must not have claustrophobia or any metals, devices, implants, or conditions that may prohibit them from having an MRI scan
• Must not excessively consume alcohol or drink more than the standard dosage per week (7 standard drinks for women and 14 standard drinks for men)
• Must be able to attend 4 study visits at the research site over approximately 12 weeks

The study team will explain the research in its entirety but some details are:

• Participants will be asked to undergo a phone screening visit to assess eligibility and interest in the study, during which they will review the study details with a trained study team member.
• Participants will be asked to complete various tests during in-clinic visits, including attention and cognitive function tests, as well as an arithmetic task, while having sensors attached to measure physiological responses (e.g., heart rate and sweating).
• Participants will be asked to follow specific instructions throughout the study, such as fasting before tests, completing questionnaires, daily diet logging, providing blood and stool samples, and adhering to the supplement regimen.

UCLA Goodman-Luskin Microbiome Center
The Goodman Luskin Microbiome Center conducts research and provides research training and clinical training with a focus on microbiome and brain interactions related to various disorders and conditions. The GLMC collaborates with various centers, divisions, and clinics. The GLMC has several clinical trials including diet, supplements, innovation behavioral therapies, and pharmacotherapies to epidemiological studies.

Please note:
Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, the researchers would like to assure the participants that ensuring their and the study staff’s safety is of utmost importance.