Researchers show effectiveness of migraine medication in weight loss
Triptans, a class of commonly prescribed migraine medications, may also be useful in treating obesity, according to a new study by scientists at UT Southwestern. In a study in obese mice, a daily dose of a triptan caused the animals to eat less and lose weight for a month, the team reported in the Journal of Experimental Medicine. “We have shown that there is real potential for reusing these drugs, which are already known to be safe, for appetite suppression and weight loss,” said study leader Chen Liu, Ph.D., Assistant Professor of Internal Medicine and Neuroscience and an investigator at the Peter O’Donnell Jr. Brain Institute. Obesity affects more than 41% of all adults in the US and increases the risk of heart disease, stroke, diabetes, and certain types of cancer. Most treatments for obesity focus on eating habits and physical activity. Scientists have long known that serotonin, a chemical messenger found throughout the brain and body, plays a key role in appetite. However, the