How growth hormone may change appetite through AgRP
Central Mediation of Growth Hormone Effects in Humans
This project will test whether growth hormone and the diabetes drug liraglutide change levels of AgRP, a brain-related appetite signal, in people with acromegaly and in healthy adults.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Columbia University Health Sciences NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (New York, United States) |
| Project ID | NIH-11290819 on NIH RePORTER |
What this research studies
You would join a project that measures a blood marker called AgRP that reflects appetite-related brain activity. The team will compare AgRP levels in people with active acromegaly before and after treatments that lower growth hormone activity and in healthy adults after controlled hormone or medication exposure. Some participants will receive the diabetes medicine liraglutide to see if it lowers plasma AgRP as it does in animal models. Visits mainly involve blood draws and short medication or treatment changes to track hormone and AgRP responses over time.
Who could benefit from this research
Good fit: Ideal candidates are adults with active acromegaly or healthy adults willing to travel for clinic visits, have blood drawn, and undergo short medication or treatment changes.
Not a fit: Children, pregnant people, or individuals unable to tolerate blood draws or the prescribed medications are unlikely to be eligible or to benefit directly from participation.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, the work could point to new ways to manage appetite, weight, and metabolism in people affected by growth-hormone disorders or related metabolic problems.
How similar studies have performed: Mouse studies and preliminary observations in people with acromegaly support GH-driven increases in AgRP and liraglutide inhibition of AgRP in animals, but these hormone effects on plasma AgRP in humans are not yet proven.
Where this research is happening
New York, United States
- Columbia University Health Sciences — New York, United States (Active)
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Freda, Pamela U — Columbia University Health Sciences
- Study coordinator: Freda, Pamela U
About this research
- This is an active NIH-funded research project — typically early-stage science, not a clinical trial accepting patient enrollment.
- Some NIH-funded labs run parallel clinical studies or seek volunteers for related work. To check, contact the principal investigator or institution listed above.
- For full project details, budget, and progress reports, visit the official NIH RePORTER page below.