Methylphenidate decreases fat and carbohydrate intake in obese teenagers. (3rd December 2013)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Danilovich, N.; Mastrandrea, L.D.; Cataldi, L.; Quattrin, T.
• Is Part Of: Obesity. Volume 22:Number 3(2014:Mar.)
• Page Start: 781
• Page End: 785
• Publication Date: 2013-12-03
• Subjects: Obesity -- Periodicals; 616.398005
• DOI: 10.1002/oby.20574
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 1930-7381

Abstract

<abstract abstract-type="main"> <title> <x xml:space="preserve">Abstract</x> </title> <sec id="oby20574-sec-0001" sec-type="section"> <title>Objective</title> <p>Dopamine is a neurotransmitter that mediates the reward value of food. Methylphenidate (MPH) selectively binds and inhibits the dopamine transporter, thus increasing brain dopamine levels shortly after oral administration. This investigation studied whether a single dose of MPH decreases energy intake (EI) in obese teenagers compared to placebo (P).</p> </sec> <sec id="oby20574-sec-0002" sec-type="section"> <title>Methods</title> <p>This study used a single‐blind, placebo‐controlled, within subject design. Teenagers with body mass index (BMI) ≥95th percentile underwent two identical meal tests (P or MPH) after a 10 h fast in random order. Food was weighed before and after the meals, and EI was calculated as energy content/gram of consumed foods. Total and macronutrient EI (mean ± SD) were analyzed by Mann–Whitney <italic>U</italic> and Wilcoxon tests.</p> </sec> <sec id="oby20574-sec-0003" sec-type="section"> <title>Results</title> <p>Twenty‐two subjects (15 females, 7 males) completed the study. Participants were 13.4 ± 2.2 years old and had BMI 34.9 ± 10.7 kg/m². EI from fat (167 vs. 203 kcal, <italic>P</italic> = 0.03) and carbohydrates (311 vs. 389 kcal, <italic>P</italic> = 0.04) was decreased for MPH compared to P meals, with a trend in decreased total EI (545 vs. 663 kcal, <italic>P</italic> = 0.06).</p> </sec> <sec id="oby20574-sec-0004" sec-type="section"> <title>Conclusion</title> <p>A single dose of MPH decreases EI from fat and carbohydrates in obese adolescents. This effect underscores the importance of central dopamine signaling on eating behavior.</p> </sec> </abstract>