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Overweight, obese people needed for study of potential weight loss drug by Mary Helen Yarborough Public Relations Overweight and obese adults are needed for a trial in which MUSC’s Weight Management Center is participating. The trial will involve double-blind testing of a combination of drugs previously not prescribed for weight loss, said Patrick O’Neil, Ph.D., director of the Weight Management Center in the Institute of Psychiatry.   Eighty-nine generally healthy people, ages 18-65, are needed for the 56-week-long study. Participants must have a body mass index between 30 and 45. People at somewhat lower weights with cholesterol or triglyceride problems or hypertension may qualify in some cases. They cannot be smokers or have serious diseases. (To learn your Body Mass Index, go to http://www.nhlbisupport.com/bmi)   A novel feature of the study is that in addition to the study medication (either active drug or inactive placebo), all participants will receive a structured behavior modification weight loss program. Participants must be able to attend weekly meetings for 16 weeks, then meetings every other week for 12 weeks. For the rest of the study, participants will only meet once a month.   “We will be studying the medicines within a context that should maximize a patient’s success,” said O’Neil. “It will also involve a behavior modification program. …Obesity is a lifelong challenge. We hope to give people tools they can use for a lifetime.”   Participants will be asked to keep a log of everything they consume. “We recommend people eat something about every four hours,” O’Neil said. “There is no benefit in getting hungry.”   Participants also will be provided tools, including pedometers, food scales, a calorie guide, measuring cups and spoons. A registered dietitian will train participants how to choose appropriately apportioned, healthy meals that are tasty alternatives to high fat, high sugar foods.   Gail Cronan is the study coordinator, and she discussed the benefits of the group sessions throughout the study. “It’s not like group therapy, or anything like Alcoholics Anonymous,” Cronan said. “These would be small seminar-type groups of between 12 and 15 people. There is a lot of supportive interest, but it’s systematically guided. People do feel more comfortable in these groups, because they all have something in common, so they don’t feel self-conscious.”   In addition, participants will get initial and periodic blood tests and other health screenings.   MUSC is one of nine sites in the nation participating in this trial that is being funded by Orexigen Therapeutics. The study medication, called Contrave, is a combination of bupropion and naltrexone. The trial is staffed by physicians, a registered nurse, registered dietitians, clinical psychologists and an exercise specialist.   To have more information sent to you, leave a message at 792-5577, fax 792 5432, or send an e-mail with “Group Study” in the subject line to wmc@musc.edu.     Friday, July 13, 2007 Catalyst Online is published weekly, updated as needed and improved from time to time by the MUSC Office of Public Relations for the faculty, employees and students of the Medical University of South Carolina. Catalyst Online editor, Kim Draughn, can be reached at 792-4107 or by email, catalyst@musc.edu. Editorial copy can be submitted to Catalyst Online and to The Catalyst in print by fax, 792-6723, or by email to catalyst@musc.edu. To place an ad in The Catalyst hardcopy, call Island Publications at 849-1778, ext. 201.