• Given the rise of obesity not only in the US, but around the world, a number of pharmaceutical companies are looking to develop new treatments for obesity based on the addiction hypothesis.

• A number of new treatments are in both phase II and phase III clinical trials.

• The majority of these potential treatment options target the neuropathways and neurotransmitters discussed here, including:

• raclopride, buprprion, and antipsychotics which target dopamine
• naltrexone, naloxone, and nalmefene which target the opioid system
• baclofen and topiramate which target the GABAergic system
• SR141716, AM 251, and rimonbant which target cannabinoid receptors
• as well as several new pharmaceuticals.

References

1. Kuikka JT, Tammela L, Karhunen L, et al. Reduced serotonin transporter binding in binge eating women. Psychopharmacology (Berl). 2001; 155(3), 310-314.

1. Corwin RL, Wojnicki FH. Baclofen, raclopride, and naltrexone differentially affect intake of fat and sucrose under limited access conditions. Behav Pharmacol. 2009; 20(5-6), 537-548.

1. Yach D, Stuckler D, Brownell KD. Epidemiologic and economic consequences of the global epidemics of obesity and diabetes. Nature medicine 2006; 12(1), 62-66.

1. Blumenthal DM, Gold MS. Neurobiology of food addiction. Curr Opin Clin Nutr Metab Care. 2010; 13, 359-365.

1. Berner LA, Bocarsly ME, Hoebel BG, Avena NM. Pharmacological interventions for binge eating: lessons from animal models, current treatments, and future directions. Curr Pharm Des. 2011; 17(12), 1180-1187.