Project Summary

Sriram Ramaswamy, M.D. (Young Investigator 2005) of Creighton University, proposes studying whether antipsychotic medications increase leptin levels and lead to the bone loss common in schizophrenic patients. Patients with schizophrenia are at elevated risk for bone loss and osteoporosis, which could be due to poor diet, lack of exercise and cigarette smoking. But studies have shown that antipsychotic medication induced hyperprolactinemia may reduce bone mineral density. There also is evidence that antipsychotic treatment leads to elevated plasma levels of leptin, which in animals might contribute to bone loss. Leptin is a hormone, secreted by fat cells in the body which regulate energy expenditure and food intake. Dr. Ramaswamy proposes to study if antipsychotic induced hyperleptinemia in human subjects might contribute to bone loss and increase the risk for osteoporosis in schizophrenia.

Program Area: SCHIZOPHRENIA/PSYCHOTIC DISORDERS\Schizophrenia

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