Effects of topiramate in adults with Prader-Willi syndrome.

Abstract

Prader-Willi syndrome is a multisystem neurogenetic obesity disorder with behavioral manifestations, including hyperphagia, compulsive behavior, self-injury, and mild to moderate mental retardation. In an 8-week open-label study, we evaluated adjunctive therapy with the anticonvulsant topiramate in 8 adults with Prader-Willi syndrome. Appetite was measured by a 1-hour access to food four times throughout the study and quantified with a visual analogue scale. Topiramate did not significantly change calories consumed, Body Mass Index, or increase self-reported appetite. In addition, there were no significant changes in compulsions. Surprisingly, topiramate treatment resulted in a clinically significant improvement in the self-injury (i.e., skin-picking) that is characteristic of this syndrome. Potential benefits of topiramate for self-injury should be evaluated further in controlled trials.

• Authors: Nathan A Shapira, Mary C Lessig, Mark H Lewis, Wayne K Goodman, Daniel J Driscoll
• Journal: American journal of mental retardation : AJMR (Am J Ment Retard) Vol. 109 Issue 4 Pg. 301-9 (Jul 2004) ISSN: 0895-8017 [Print] United States
• PMID: 15176917 (Publication Type: Clinical Trial, Journal Article, Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't, Research Support, U.S. Gov't, P.H.S.)

Chemical References

• Anti-Obesity Agents
• Topiramate
• Fructose

Topics

• Adolescent
• Adult
• Anti-Obesity Agents (administration & dosage, adverse effects, therapeutic use)
• Body Mass Index
• Female
• Fructose (administration & dosage, adverse effects, analogs & derivatives, therapeutic use)
• Humans
• Male
• Obesity (complications, drug therapy)
• Prader-Willi Syndrome (complications)
• Self-Injurious Behavior (chemically induced)
• Topiramate