Can a common ADHD drug curb genetic obesity?
NCT ID NCT06899178
First seen Aug 07, 2026 · Last updated Aug 07, 2026
Summary
This phase 2 trial is testing whether atomoxetine, a drug used for ADHD, can help adults with melanocortin obesity syndrome (MCOS), a genetic condition that causes severe obesity. The drug may boost a brain protein called BDNF, which is part of the pathway disrupted in MCOS. Participants will receive either atomoxetine or a placebo in a crossover design, and researchers will measure changes in body mass index and energy expenditure.
What this could mean
Our plain-language read of the trial. This is informational only — not medical advice or a prediction.
- Active substance
- atomoxetine
- What this could lead to
- If atomoxetine proves effective, it could become a targeted treatment for a rare genetic form of obesity, offering a new option for people who have few choices.
- What could go wrong
- This is a small early-stage trial, so results may not hold up in larger studies. Atomoxetine can cause side effects like nausea, dry mouth, or increased heart rate, and it may not work for everyone.
This is an AI summary of the original study and may miss details. Read our disclaimer.
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Conditions
The condition(s) this trial relates to.
As listed by the trial registrant
The condition terms exactly as the trial's registrant entered them.
Contacts and locations
Locations
-
Mount Sinai Hospital
RECRUITINGNew York, New York, 10029, United States
-
Nationwide Children's Hospital
NOT_YET_RECRUITINGColumbus, Ohio, 43205, United States
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Vanderbilt University Medical Center
NOT_YET_RECRUITINGNashville, Tennessee, 37232, United States