This research study is testing the effectiveness and safety of semaglutide (Wegovy) in people with trichotillomania, also known as hair-pulling disorder.
The goal of the proposed study is to evaluate the efficacy and safety of semaglutide in individuals with trichotillomania. The hypothesis to be tested is that semaglutide will reduce urges to pull hair and pulling behavior and will be well tolerated in participants with trichotillomania. The proposed study will provide needed pilot data on the treatment of a disabling disorder that currently lacks available options for pharmacological treatment. The investigators will conduct an open-label pharmacotherapy trial in 10 individuals with trichotillomania. Participants with trichotillomania will be started and continued on medication during an 8-week treatment phase. The study will be the first to use a once weekly Glucagon-like peptide 1 (GLP-1) receptor agonist pharmacological intervention to target urges in trichotillomania and thereby has the potential to set a new standard of care for a range of compulsive behaviors.
Study Type
INTERVENTIONAL
Allocation
NA
Purpose
TREATMENT
Masking
NONE
Enrollment
10
All participants in the study will receive semaglutide (Wegovy).
NIMH Trichotillomania Severity Scale
Clinician-rated scale assessing trichotillomania symptom severity over the past week that will be administered at all visits. Total scores range from 0-20. Higher scores indicate greater severity.
Time frame: From screening to 1 week after last dose of study drug
Clinical Global Impression-Improvement and Severity Scales
Clinician-administered scale consisting of two reliable and valid 7-item Likert scales used to assess severity and change in clinical symptoms. The CGI-S will be used at screening and the CGI-I will be used at every visit after screening. the CGI-S ranges from 1 = "not ill at all" to 7 = "among the most extremely ill." The CGI-I scale ranges from 1 = "very much improved" to 7 = "very much worse."
Time frame: From screening to 1 week after last dose of study drug
Massachusetts General Hospital Hair Pulling Scale
A 7-item self-report measure assessing trichotillomania severity over the past week. Total scores range from 0-28. Greater scores indicate worse symptoms.
Time frame: From screening to 1 week after last dose of study drug
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