Effect of Rimonabant, a new anti-obesity medication, on appetite, feeding behavior, body weight, and composition of Patients with Prader-Willi Syndrome.

Roja Motaghedi and Moris Angulo

Rimonabant (accomplia) works by blocking the CB-1 receptors that manages food intake. The receptors are in the brain, but also throughout the body, particularly in fat cells. Among other things, they account for the abrupt increase in appetite experienced by people who smoke marijuana.

Doctors claim that this system of receptors is disrupted by chronic overeating. The drug re-establishes the balance in the system, repressing appetite.
Acomplia's unique of approach attacks the receptor in the brain that makes people hungry when they smoke marijuana. This protein receptor is referred to as the cannabinoid receptor found on the surface of brain cells.

Researchers in Europe have demonstrated in obese patients treated for one year on the dose of 20 mg per day lost an average of 19 pounds and lost 3.5 inches of waistline, researchers showed, while 39 % lost more than 1/10^th of their body weight.  The drug also elevated levels of "good" HDL cholesterol in the blood by 27 %.

This medication has not yet been approved for use in the United States, however, is undergoing FDA investigation.  The researchers will be examining the use of this medication with individuals with PWS to determine its effects on weight loss, Ghrelin and Leptin levels.  The study will also examine Rimonabant’s effect on appetite and feeding behavior in individuals with PWS

edited: 08/19/2008