Obesity Drugs for Kids
Posted on May 9, 2008
A new class of weight loss pills that suppress appetite through receptors in the brain could affect on visual perseption in children.
The appetite suppressing receptors are called cannabinoid receptors. They control the plasticity and also regulate signaling among neurons in the visual cortex.
The researchers looked at the drug rimonabant (Acomplia). Findings suggest obesity drugs that block the cannabinoid receptors severely disrupted the cortical plasticity in young mice, so researchers believe they may have the same effect on human children.
As a result, the scientists are urging caution in using these drugs on overweight children.
Sanofi-Aventis, the company that makes Acomplia, is awaiting FDA approval for its use in the United States. Other pharmaceutical companies have similar drugs in development.
» Filed Under Acomplia, Weight Loss
