Appetite

Targeting serotonin for PWS

In a recent email correspondence, Dr. Cunningham at the University of Texas Medical Branch thanked FPWR and described the contribution that FPWR grant funds (2010-2011) have had on the work coming out of her laboratory. She writes, "thank you for the support which allowed us to build an entirely new program to develop therapeutics for those affected by PWS...We have made incredible progress on this research program, thanks in great part for the support from the FPWR.

PWS-InnoCentive Research Challenge is Live!

Here's a blog from FPWR Board member Shawn Johnson about the "PWS Research Challenge: Advancing Appetite and Satiety Research", which FPWR has launched in collaboration with InnoCentive.  Shawn championed the idea of a crowdsourcing approach to generate new insight into hyperphagia in PWS:

MCH neurons in animal models of Prader-Willi syndrome

Prader-Willi syndrome (PWS) is a disease caused by mutations on human chromosome 15 leading to "floppy" infants initially, and obesity and sleep disorders later. Although genetic defects underlying PWS have been documented, it is still not well understood how the loss-of-function of genes results in various symptoms in PWS. It has been shown that the dysfunction of the hypothalamus, a brain structure, contributes to symptoms seen in PWS patients.

Funding Year: 
2010
Awarded To: 
Xiao-Bing Gao, PhD
Amount: 
$50,000
Institution: 
Yale University

The 5-HT2CR: Mining a new experimental approach to therapeutics for Prader-Willi syndrome

Prader-Willi Syndrome (PWS) is a complex genetic disorder in which several genes are missing or not functional. PWS is characterized by initial loss of muscle tone and failure to thrive neonatally; children with PWS develop behavioral and cognitive problems, reproductive defects, and excessive overeating. A major medical concern is the morbid obesity that results from incessant food-seeking and an inability to feel full. The chromosomal defect in PWS patients deletes a gene sequence involved in regulating a receptor found in the brain, the serotonin 5-HT2C receptor (5-HT2CR).

Funding Year: 
2010
Awarded To: 
Kathryn Cunningham, PhD
Amount: 
$50,000
Institution: 
University of Texas Medical Branch
Publication: 
Peptide inhibitors disrupt the serotonin 5-HT2C receptor interaction with phosphatase and tensin homolog to allosterically modulate cellular signaling and behavior

What's for dinner? Mandometer anyone?

So, here's a different approach.  A new study looks at the use of a computerized device in helping to modify eating behavior in typically developing obese adolescents.  Treatment of childhood obesity by retraining eating behaviour: randomized controlled trial examines the use of a Mandometer, which provides real time feedback during meals.  Originally developed for people eating disorders such as anorexia, this

What's new with ghrelin??

Sibutramine evaluated in PWS

Individuals with PWS are, in many ways, perfect subjects for studying the effectiveness of candidate obesity drugs. Excessive weight gain is a common and critical issue, frequently leading to a multitude of medical complications. Even in the best of environments and with the best efforts of those with the disorder, maintaining good weight control is a constant struggle. Behavior therapy has been ineffective, given the strong biological drive to eat.

FTO - a new gene influencing obesity

A new article sheds a little bit of light on the latest player in obesity:  the FTO gene (the fat-mass and obesity-associated gene).