A surprising new study from Johns Hopkins Medicine has found that a drug originally created to treat brain conditions like Alzheimer’s disease and schizophrenia could also help fight obesity—without needing any changes to diet or exercise.
The drug works by blocking a specific enzyme in the body called PDE9. This enzyme was first linked to neurological conditions but is now known to also play a role in heart problems caused by high blood pressure.
The researchers discovered that by stopping this enzyme from working, the drug could help with several health issues that often come with obesity. These include high blood pressure, high blood sugar, high cholesterol, and too much belly fat.
This drug, known as PF-04447943, was first tested by Pfizer for Alzheimer’s. Even though it didn’t move forward for that purpose, the clinical trials showed it was safe. More than 100 people took the drug, and there were no serious side effects reported.
In a recent study on mice, scientists gave this drug to animals without changing their diet or how much they exercised. The results were impressive—mice lost a lot of weight just by taking the drug. If the same thing happens in humans, someone who weighs 250 pounds could lose around 50 pounds just by taking this medication.
Obesity is a big health problem, especially in the United States. According to the CDC, over 40% of American adults are obese. The number is even higher—43%—among women older than 60. Obesity can lead to many serious health problems, such as diabetes, heart disease, and joint pain.
If this drug proves to be safe and effective in humans, it could be a game-changer. It might offer a way to lose weight and improve health without needing to make big changes in diet or physical activity. That could help millions of people who struggle with weight loss and its related health problems.
This discovery shows how science can take unexpected turns. A drug made for brain conditions might end up helping solve one of the world’s biggest health challenges.
While more studies and human trials are needed, this research offers real hope for a new way to treat obesity.
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