Rapid Emergence of Appetite and Hunger Resulting in Weight Gain and Improvement of Eating Disorder Symptomatology during and after Short-Term Off-Label Metreleptin Treatment of a Patient with Anorexia Nervosa
Gertraud Gradl-Dietsch, Gabriella Milos, Martin Wabitsch, Rebecca Bell, Franziska Tschöpe, Jochen Antel, Johannes Hebebrand
Abstract
Off-label treatment of a 15-year-old female patient with anorexia nervosa (AN) with human recombinant leptin (metreleptin) for nine days was associated with self-reported increments of appetite and hunger resulting in rapid weight gain and substantial improvement of eating disorder cognitions and of depression. The results further substantiate the effects of metreleptin on both AN and depression. We contrast these results with the widespread view that leptin is an anorexigenic hormone. Randomized controlled trials are warranted to confirm the described effects.
Topics & Concepts
AppetiteAnorexia nervosaMedicineWeight gainLeptinDepression (economics)PsychiatryAnorexiaWeight lossRandomized controlled trialEating disordersObesityInternal medicineBody weightEconomicsMacroeconomicsRegulation of Appetite and ObesityBiochemical Analysis and Sensing TechniquesEating Disorders and Behaviors