Oxytocin for Weight Management in Young People with Obesity
Oxytocin as a Neuroendocrine Therapy for Obesity in Youth
This research explores if a hormone called oxytocin, given as a nasal spray, can help young people with obesity manage their weight and improve their health.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Massachusetts General Hospital NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Boston, United States) |
| Project ID | NIH-11144539 on NIH RePORTER |
What this research studies
Obesity in young people is a growing concern, and current treatments often don't provide lasting results. This project looks at oxytocin, a natural hormone that helps control appetite and metabolism, as a new way to help. We are conducting a study where participants will receive either oxytocin nasal spray or a placebo for twelve weeks. The goal is to see if oxytocin can lead to weight loss and improve other health markers, similar to what has been seen in early studies and animal models.
Who could benefit from this research
Good fit: Ideal candidates for this type of research would be adolescents with obesity who are looking for new ways to manage their weight and improve their metabolic health.
Not a fit: Patients who are not adolescents or do not have obesity, or those who are already managing their weight effectively with existing treatments, may not find direct benefit from this specific research.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this approach could offer a new, well-tolerated treatment option for young people struggling with obesity and related health risks.
How similar studies have performed: Preliminary data in both adults and children, as well as findings in animal models, suggest that oxytocin can lead to weight loss and is well-tolerated.
Where this research is happening
Boston, United States
- Massachusetts General Hospital — Boston, United States (Active)
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Lawson, Elizabeth Austen — Massachusetts General Hospital
- Study coordinator: Lawson, Elizabeth Austen
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.