Clearmind Medicine Inc. announced positive pre-clinical results demonstrating efficacy of its drug candidate MEAI for treating obesity and metabolic syndrome. The study, conducted at the Hebrew University of Jerusalem, as part of a collaboration established with the university's technology transfer company, Yissum, included multi-parameter metabolic assessments such as body weight, fat mass, glucose tolerance, insulin sensitivity, liver enzymes and fat accumulation as well as food consumption patterns. It included three groups of rodents: one was fed a standard diet, another a high-fat diet, and the third a high-fat diet group along with treatment with MEAI.

The animals treated with MEAI showed increased energy expenditure, better fat utilization and weight loss of 20%, while reducing their overall fat mass and preserving their lean body mass. No effect on motivation and well-being was observed. Additionally, MEAI treatment yielded normalization of insulin levels, improved glucose tolerance as well as reduced fat and triglycerides accumulation in the liver.

These results were significantly better than those obtained in the high fat, untreated group. Furthermore, a significant reduction in sucrose preference was observed following administration of MEAI for two days at the effective dose, supporting the notion that it can dampen the hedonic value of rewarding stimuli. Thus, MEAI may be beneficial for the treatment of compulsive reward-seeking behavior or excessive consumption of sweet foods.