5-HT2C RECEPTOR ACTIVATION DECREASES APPETITE AND BODY-WEIGHT IN OBESE SUBJECTS

We studied the effect of 2 weeks administration of the 5-HT2C receptor agonist, m-chlorophenylpiperazine (mCPP), on appetite and body weight in 18 moderately obese subjects in a double-blind, placebo-controlled trial. mCPP caused a small but significant (0.75 kg) reduction in bod y weight and in subjective ratings of hunger, Plasma prolactin was sig nificantly elevated by the final dose of mCPP. Our data suggest that d uring 2 weeks treatment in humans, mCPP may continue to activate brain 5-HT2C receptors, and that this effect is associated with decreases i n appetite and body weight.