Investigation of Neuro-hormonal Mechanisms of Hunger, Fullness and Obesity.

Inclusion Criteria:

- Males and females 18 to 65 years of age.

- Obese Subjects with BMI >40.

- Normal weight subjects with BMI = 18.5-24.9

Exclusion Criteria:

- Age younger than 18 years and over 65 years of age.

- Current use of narcotics or morphine

- Previous gastric surgery

- Presence of the following disorders that are known to cause functional gastric stasis
syndromes: Diabetes Mellitus, Hypothyroidism, Progressive Systemic Sclerosis,
Systemic Lupus Erythematosus, Dermatomyositis, Familial Dysautonomia, Pernicious
Anemia, Bulbar poliomyelitis, Amyloidosis, Gastric Ulcer, Post-vagotomy,
Tumor-associated gastroparesis, Fabry disease, Myotonic Dystrophy, Post-operative
ileus, Gastroenteritis.

- Presence of the following disorders that are known to cause delayed gastric emptying:
peptic ulceration, recent surgery, pyloric hypertrophy, post-radiotherapy, ileus,
anorexia nervosa, acute viral infections.

- Presence of the following disorders that are known to cause rapid gastric emptying:
Pyloroplasty, Hemigastrectomy, Duodenal ulcer, Gastrinoma (Zollinger-Ellison
syndrome), Hyperthyroidism

- Current use of Thyroxine as it is known to cause rapid gastric emptying

- Current or recent (within the last 2 weeks) use of anti-spasmodics or pro-kinetic
medications.

- Current use of Hyperalimentation

- Presence of any metabolic disorder, such as: hyperglycemia, acidosis, hypokalemia,
hypercalcemia, hepatic coma or myxedema.

- Current use of estrogen or progesterone

- Current use of the following drugs that are known to delay gastric emptying:
Nifedipine, beta-adrenergic agonists, Isoproterenol, Theophylline, Sucralfate,
anticholinergics, Levodopa, diazepam, tricyclic antidepressants, phenothiazine,
Progesterone, oral contraceptives, alcohol, nicotine, opiates.

- Allergy to eggs or wheat.

- Pregnancy.