New Anti-Obesity Drugs Could Stunt Kids' Brains

[The Straight Story]

New Anti-Obesity Drugs Could Stunt Kids' Brains

The potential problems of a once-promising class of weight-loss drugs just keep growing.

In a study published today in Neuron, Massachusetts Institute of Technology researchers found that a cannabinoid receptor antagonist -- in layman's terms, a munchies-blocker -- stunted the brains of juvenile mice.

Their findings raise the troubling possibility that such drugs could have similar effects on human children.

"We used animal models, but there's a good parallel to human physiology," said study co-author Cheng-Hang Liu.

Several new anti-obesity treatments, including Merck's taranabant and rimonabant -- sold in Europe as Acomplia by Sanofi-Aventis but as-yet-unapproved in the United States -- promise to reduce appetite by blocking the brain's cannabinoid receptors. Those are the receptors activated by marijuana, resulting in appetite surges.

But while the drugs do reduce dietary cravings, they may have disturbing side effects that are only now becoming apparent.

http://blog.wired.com/wiredscience/2008/05/new-anti-obesit.html

[LisaM]

1. I know one potential anti-obesity "drug"

It's called mandated RECESS for elementary school kids. I know, for example, in Tacoma, WA, it's been eliminated as a "frill" so they can get their test scores up.

[TomInTib]

2. Damn, if I was a fat kid I would at least have a legitimate excuse.

As it is, however, I have no one but myself to blame for my mental deficiencies.

[Name removed]

3. Deleted message

Message removed by moderator. Click here to review the message board rules.

[Missy Vixen]

9. Wow.

I see the obesity wars have heated back up.

In the meantime, what exactly were you hoping to elicit by posting the above photo?

Julie

[otherlander]

4. Who the hell

gives anti-obesity drugs to KIDS?!?!

[RedCappedBandit]

5. Maybe people shouldn't be giving children drugs..

to decrease their appetite. :think:

[AlCzervik]

7. i don't think they are just yet here, it's not approved in the us just yet but it is

being used in europe but it doesn't specify if it's being given to children. The article is a bit "thin" on details---huh, see what i did there. Anyhow, from the article-


Several new anti-obesity treatments, including Merck's taranabant and rimonabant -- sold in Europe as Acomplia by Sanofi-Aventis but as-yet-unapproved in the United States -- promise to reduce appetite by blocking the brain's cannabinoid receptors. Those are the receptors activated by marijuana, resulting in appetite surges.

[loves_dulcinea]

6. just great

another generation of right wingers.

[Missy Vixen]

8. At least they'll be THIN, though!

That's the only thing that's important -- they're not fat!

:sarcasm:

After all, most people would rather be DEAD than fat.
Julie