Pharmacological approaches to food craving
- Research Opportunity
- PhD
- Department
- Medicine and Radiology
- Location
- Mercy Health
Primary Supervisor | Number | Webpage | |
---|---|---|---|
Dr Priya Sumithran | priyas@unimelb.edu.au | 94962375 | Personal web page |
Co-supervisor | Number | Webpage | |
---|---|---|---|
Dr Robyn Brown | robyn.brown@florey.edu.au | 9035 6592 | Personal web page |
Summary This study will examine the effect of topiramate on self-reported cravings and objective measures of autonomic nervous system activation in response to palatable foods in people with obesity.
Project Details
The currently available pharmacological treatments for obesity work primarily by reducing hunger and increasing satiety (fullness). However, we eat not only to satisfy our hunger, but in response to many other motivations including hedonic (reward) factors, food cravings, stress and emotions.
Topiramate is an anticonvulsant medication, which suppresses cravings for alcohol and other substances. It is used off-label for appetite reduction and binge eating, but there are few studies that have examined exactly how topiramate affects eating behaviours. This study will examine the effect of topiramate on self-reported cravings and objective measures of autonomic nervous system activation in response to palatable foods in people with obesity.
This study may lead to clinical trials of this agent as a treatment for disordered eating.
Faculty Research Themes
School Research Themes
Neuroscience & Psychiatry, Cardiometabolic
Research Opportunities
PhD
Students who are interested in joining this project will need to consider their elegibility as well as other requirements before contacting the supervisor of this research
Key Contact
For further information about this research, please contact a supervisor.
Department
Research Node
Mercy HealthMDHS Research library
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