Diabetes drug exenatide can quench insatiable hunger, experienced by those suffering from ‘Prader-Willi Syndrome,’ a genetic disorder.

A group of researchers from Sydney’s Garvan Institute of Medical Research, including Drs Alexander Viardot and Lisa Sze, Professor Lesley Campbell and Louise Purtell, found that people with Prader-Willi Syndrome experienced some significant fullness when given exenatide before food, but had no real fullness when given the placebo instead. In addition, the Prader-Willi group experienced no major side effects from the drug, whereas all but two of the obese-only group experienced bloating, nausea or vomiting. These results are published in the Journal of Clinical Endocrinology and Metabolism, now online.
Professor Campbell, believes the results are sufficiently compelling to merit further, more extensive trials. “The good thing about this study is that people with Prader-Willi Syndrome took a drug that is already in use, they appeared to benefit, and they didn’t suffer side effects,” she said.
“Without further testing, we can’t yet recommend that exenatide be prescribed for these people, unless they also happen to have Type 2 diabetes which is the recommended usage.”
“We are hoping that drug companies will support further trials, even though this is a relatively rare illness.”
“Prader-Willi Syndrome causes such an inordinate amount of suffering for patients and their families that the stress far exceeds the social cost suggested by its low prevalence.”
Advertisement
Advertisement