LB017 - NEUROMODULATION METHODOLOGIES TO TREAT OBESITY AND TYPE 2 DIABETES: NAIROBI STUDY

LB017

NEUROMODULATION METHODOLOGIES TO TREAT OBESITY AND TYPE 2 DIABETES: NAIROBI STUDY

T. Montalcini^1,2,*, A. Pujia^2,3

¹Clinical and Experimental Medicine, ²Research Center for the Prevention and Treatment of Metabolic Diseases, ³Medical and Surgical Science , University Magna Grecia, Catanzaro, Italy

Rationale: Obesity and type 2 diabetes are closely linked, and adjunctive strategies are needed to improve the response to lifestyle interventions. Transcranial direct current stimulation (tDCS) may modulate cortical control of food craving and support weight loss. This study evaluates the feasibility, safety and metabolic effects of tDCS combined diet in adults with obesity and/or type 2 diabetes.

Methods: Ninety-three adults with obesity, with or without type 2 diabetes will be recruited and allocated to four groups: tDCS plus Mediterranean diet, tDCS plus ketogenic diet, sham stimulation plus Mediterranean diet, and sham stimulation plus ketogenic diet. The intervention will last 12 weeks. Real or sham tDCS will be administered for 20 minutes, three times per week, for 5 weeks. Assessments will be performed at baseline, after the 5-week stimulation period, at week 9, and at week 12. Outcomes will include intervention safety, body weight loss, metabolic control, glycaemic and lipid profiles, inflammatory cytokines, cortisol, dehydroepiandrosterone, brain-derived neurotrophic factor, food craving questionnaire, and Barratt Impulsiveness Scale-11 scores. This study is part of the PNRR-POC-2023-12377828 project

Results: To date, 56 participants have been enrolled. Overall, 70% were women;  age was 58 ± 7 years and body mass index was 32.3 ± 3 kg/m². Type 2 diabetes was present in 11% of participants, while hepatic steatosis was detected in 64%.  HbA1c was 5.6 ± 1%, fasting glucose was 96 ± 18 mg/dL, triglycerides were 120 ± 49 mg/dL, and respiratory quotient was 0.81 ± 0.4. At 5 weeks, At the time of analysis, 32 participants had completed the first 5 weeks of the study, with no dropouts reported to date. No adverse events were reported

Conclusion: This study will provide evidence on the safety and feasibility of combining tDCS with nutritional strategies in adults with obesity and/or type 2 diabetes. 

Disclosure of Interest: None declared