Conditions: Hypothalamic Obesity
Keywords: Hypothalamic Obesity Exenatide Byetta Craniopharyngioma
Allocation: NA | Intervention model: SINGLE_GROUP
Enrollment: 19
Healthy volunteers: no

Brief summary:
The primary aim of this study is to evaluate the effect of Exenatide on weight status (change in body mass index) of children treated for craniopharyngioma that have developed hypothalamic obesity at Children's Hospitals and Clinics of Minnesota. We hypothesize that Exenatide given to hypothalamic obese children for 6 months will reduce their body mass index significantly from baseline.

Detailed description:
Hypothalamic obesity is when individuals suffer from acute weight gain after brain tumor treatment, involving secondary damage to the ventromedial nucleus of the hypothalamus, which may lead to obesity. The weight gain is uncontrolled and not receptive to diet and exercise interventions. The rate of long-term obesity in children diagnosed with craniopharyngioma can be as high as 50%. Exenatide, a drug indicated for diabetes, is an incretin mimicking agent that mimics the enhancement of glucose-dependent insulin secretion and several other antihyperglycemic actions of incretins has resulted in weight loss when given to diabetics. Exenatide shows potential to benefit patients suffering from hypothalamic obesity by slowing gastric emptying and therefore reducing food intake. Also increasing the glucagon-like peptide 1 (GLP-1) circulation, decreased due to obesity, at the already compromised GLP-1 receptor site of the hypothalamus could potentially help with regulation of appetite.

Arms:
arm 1: 5mcg of exenatide will be given twice a day for 4 weeks and increased to 10 mcg twice a day for 20 weeks.

Interventions: intervention 1: Exenatide
Intervention descriptions: intervention 1: 5mcg twice a day for 4 weeks increased to 10 mcg twice a day for 20 weeks.

Protocol document: