Note: This study is currently only recruiting patients in the hospital.
If you are interested in being notified if this study begins recruiting from the general population, please use the 'I Am Interested' button below.
Weight Loss Study for Youth 12 - 18 Years Old
Enrollment for this study is expected to close on Thursday, August 28, 2025
Overview
What we are studying
This study is looking at whether oxytocin, a naturally occurring hormone, can help youth ages 12-18 years old to lose weight. We are also looking at the reasons why weight loss might occur. In previous studies, this hormonal medication was successful in aiding weight loss in adults.
Why it is important
Childhood obesity has been increasing and is associated with complications in adulthood. Earlier treatment reduces the likelihood of health problem in later life, but lifestyle interventions (like diet and exercise changes) are not always enough for weight loss. There are currently few medications that are successfully used to treat childhood obesity, so we are studying a hormonal medication for weight loss to determine if it is safe and effective.
What we hope to accomplish
We hope to identify whether this medication can help weight loss and improve cardiometabolic health factors.
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Principal Investigator
Contact
Click I Am Interested "I Am Interested" "I Am Interested" to get started. If you have questions, contact:
Meghan Slattery
Study Nurse Practioner
Who can participate
Youth ages 12-18 years old who are carrying excess weight. Please fill out our survey: https://redcap.partners.org/redcap/surveys/?s=AXRC743AAE
What you may be asked to do
Participants will take the hormonal medication daily for 12 weeks. The study is double-blind and placebo-controlled (meaning that, by random and unknown assignment, half of participants will receive the active medication and half will receive a placebo). This study design is used so that we can assess if changes are due to the medication or not. Main study visits occur at the start of the study, 8-weeks, and 12-weeks. There are additional brief check-in visits. Main visits include breakfast meals, blood draws, measurements of how much energy your body burns, scans to look at body composition, and questionnaires about diet, exercise, and mood.
Project activities may include:
- Blood draw
- Injection or IV
- Medication
- Office visit
- MRI scan
- X-ray
- Biosample (e.g., saliva, urine, or stool)
- Survey
Estimated Time Commitment
9 visits over 4 months
What You May Get
Up to $1,700 by check.
Location
Massachusetts General Hospital
55 Fruit Street
Travel
- Accessible by public transportation
- Parking available
- Parking reimbursed
- Local travel reimbursed
- Out of state travel possibly reimbursed
Travel and Parking Details
We can reimburse local travel and/or cover parking at the hospital.
Additional Information
Study Phase
Phase 2: This project studies whether a medication or treatment works for people with a specific disease or condition. The drug or treatment has been studied for safety in healthy volunteers, but the project will continue to look at safety and short term side effects.
Funding Source
- NIH or Other Federal