Use of compounds for the regulation of food intake

Abstract

Compounds that are ligands for the growth hormone secretagogue receptor type 1A (GHS-R 1A), as well as pharmaceutically acceptable salts of such compounds, are useful for the manufacture of medicaments for the regulation of food intake.

What is claimed is:  
     
         1 . A method for regulating food intake, comprising: administering to a subject in need thereof a compound that is an agonist for the growth hormone secretagogue receptor type 1A (GHS-R 1A), or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof, in an amount effective to regulate such food intake.  
     
     
         2 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the compound does not induce a therapeutically effective growth hormone release at the effective dose of the compound.  
     
     
         3 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the compound is grehlin or a homologue thereof.  
     
     
         4 . A method for treating anorexia, comprising: administering to a subject in need thereof a compound that is an agonist for the growth hormone secretagogue receptor type 1A (GHS-R 1A), or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof, in an amount effective for such treatment.  
     
     
         5 . A method for treating the lack of appetite in a child with growth hormone deficiency, comprising: administering to the child a compound that is an agonist for the growth hormone secretagogue receptor type 1A (GHS-R 1A), or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof, in an amount effective for such treatment.  
     
     
         6 . A method for treating obesity, comprising: administering to a subject in need thereof a compound that is an agonist for the growth hormone secretagogue receptor type 1A (GHS-R 1A), or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof, in an amount effective for such treatment.  
     
     
         7 . A method for treating Type II diabetes, comprising: administering to a subject in need thereof a compound that is an agonist for the growth hormone secretagogue receptor type 1A (GHS-R 1A), or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof, in an amount effective for such treatment.  
     
     
         8 . A method for treating wasting associated with AIDS, comprising: administering to a subject in need thereof a compound that is an agonist for the growth hormone secretagogue receptor type 1A (GHS-R 1A), or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof, in an amount effective for such treatment.