Summarized by Masters of Longevity from UT Southwestern.
Preclinical research links antipsychotic-driven overeating to an MC4R–Kir7.1 signaling pathway in the hypothalamus and tests interventions reducing weight gain.
Key Takeaways
- Clozapine and risperidone suppressed MC4R-expressing paraventricular hypothalamic neurons in mice, while ziprasidone did not.
- Genetic deletion of Kir7.1 from MC4R neurons markedly reduced clozapine-induced weight gain in mice.
- MC4R activation by setmelanotide and a Kir7.1 blocker ML418 each reduced food intake and body weight in treated mice.
