Experimental Medicine Performs Well Among Patients With Brain Damage-Related Obesity.

reported on a small mid-stage study that showed beloranib, an experimental obesity drug, helped reduce weight in patients with obesity resulting from damage to the hypothalamus, the part of the brain responsible for hormone production, following surgery to remove a brain tumor. A damaged hypothalamus results in some patients’ bodies being unable to regulate metabolism and food intake, causing rapid weight gain. When tested against a placebo, patients on beloranib experienced a mean weight loss of 3.4 kg (7.5 lb), versus 0.3 kg in patients who got the placebo. http://www.reuters.com/article/2015/01/07/zafgen-study-idUSL3N0UM3CP20150107