Alterations of appetite-regulating hormones in risperidone treated
children and adolescents - A posthoc analysis of the SPACe study
Abstract
Weight gain and metabolic disruptions are common in children and
adolescents treated with antipsychotics, but the underlying mechanisms
are unclear, complicating prevention and treatment. This study examines
the impact of risperidone on appetite-regulating hormones (insulin,
leptin, bioleptin) and their relationship to body weight changes over
time. In a post-hoc analysis, we evaluated the correlation of
appetite-regulating hormones with BMI z-scores during treatment and at a
6-month follow-up. The sample consisted of 10 participants (80% male,
median age 9.7 years). A significant increase in bioleptin (p
< 0.05) and BMI z-scores was observed over the 6 months.
Initially, HOMA-IR, insulin, leptin, and bioleptin were significantly
associated with BMI z-scores, but this association diminished after 6
months of treatment. Additionally, higher risperidone exposure
correlated with lower appetite-regulating hormones at the 6-month mark.
These findings indicate that risperidone significantly affects
appetite-regulating hormones in children and adolescents, potentially
contributing to antipsychotic-induced weight gain.