Creating a Dissolvable Medication for Eating Disorders that Prevents Loss of Effects Through Self-Induced Vomiting by Targeting MC4R
School Name
South Carolina Governor's School for Science and Mathematics
Grade Level
12th Grade
Presentation Topic
Biochemistry
Presentation Type
Mentored
Abstract
Eating disorders are a mental condition typically characterized by irregular eating habits. Eating disorders are generally treated with anti-depressants like Risperidone, as there are no medications directly for eating disorders. Bulimia Nervosa is a type of eating disorder, which is characterized by recurring episodes of binge eating where individuals have a lack of control over food intake followed by behaviors such as self-induced vomiting, excessive exercise, or the use of laxatives to offset the surplus calorie consumption. When medications taken for eating disorders are not absorbed into the body prior to self-induced vomiting episodes, their effects can be lost. The focus of this research was to create a modified structure of Risperidone that is more water-soluble for sublingual administration and binds more efficiently with the Melanocortin 4 Receptor (MC4R), which is involved in feeding behavior. Using the computer program Schrodinger Maestro, ten modifications to Risperidone were made. The best modification was made by adding polar functional groups to increase the solubility, which also increased the binding affinity. These two elements make the medication more preferable for people with eating disorders.
Recommended Citation
Burns, Lillie, "Creating a Dissolvable Medication for Eating Disorders that Prevents Loss of Effects Through Self-Induced Vomiting by Targeting MC4R" (2024). South Carolina Junior Academy of Science. 435.
https://scholarexchange.furman.edu/scjas/2024/all/435
Location
RITA 363
Start Date
3-23-2024 9:15 AM
Presentation Format
Oral Only
Group Project
No
Creating a Dissolvable Medication for Eating Disorders that Prevents Loss of Effects Through Self-Induced Vomiting by Targeting MC4R
RITA 363
Eating disorders are a mental condition typically characterized by irregular eating habits. Eating disorders are generally treated with anti-depressants like Risperidone, as there are no medications directly for eating disorders. Bulimia Nervosa is a type of eating disorder, which is characterized by recurring episodes of binge eating where individuals have a lack of control over food intake followed by behaviors such as self-induced vomiting, excessive exercise, or the use of laxatives to offset the surplus calorie consumption. When medications taken for eating disorders are not absorbed into the body prior to self-induced vomiting episodes, their effects can be lost. The focus of this research was to create a modified structure of Risperidone that is more water-soluble for sublingual administration and binds more efficiently with the Melanocortin 4 Receptor (MC4R), which is involved in feeding behavior. Using the computer program Schrodinger Maestro, ten modifications to Risperidone were made. The best modification was made by adding polar functional groups to increase the solubility, which also increased the binding affinity. These two elements make the medication more preferable for people with eating disorders.
