Dr. Mahavir Agarwal, MD, PhD
Claim this profileCentre for Addiction and Mental Health
Studies Depression
Studies Major Depressive Disorder
4 reported clinical trials
8 drugs studied
Affiliated Hospitals
Clinical Trials Mahavir Agarwal, MD, PhD is currently running
Metformin
for Antipsychotic-Induced Weight Gain in Intellectual Disability
People with IDD (intellectual and developmental disability) have very high rates of obesity and die prematurely from cardiometabolic disease. While antipsychotics contribute to this problem, their use is necessary and appropriate in a significant subgroup of individuals with IDD. Exercise and diet interventions have limitations and may not be sufficient, requiring effective adjunctive pharmacological approaches to target obesity and related comorbidities in IDD. However, persons with IDD treated with antipsychotics are systematically excluded from clinical trials hindering development of evidence to help guide safe and effective treatment of these comorbidities. Moreover, evidence from other disorders cannot be extrapolated to IDD given inherent biological differences between disorders. This trial will address the identified gaps, which extend beyond cardiovascular morbidity and negatively impact psychosocial outcomes, in a hugely underserviced population.This is the the first RCT (randomized control trial) to examine the efficacy of metformin in overweight or obese adults with IDD who have experienced antipsychotic-induced weight gain. By generating efficacy data for a very accessible and scalable intervention, allows for guideline and implementation strategies to address a recalcitrant health problem.
Recruiting2 awards Phase 46 criteria
Intranasal Insulin + Olanzapine
for Healthy Volunteers
Antipsychotic (AP) medications are considered to be the gold standard treatment for psychotic disorders including schizophrenia. However, APs have also been commonly associated with serious metabolic adverse effects including weight gain and Type 2 Diabetes, with younger populations disproportionately affected. In addition, young individuals treated with these agents have also been found to be at high risk for glucose dysregulation, including higher rates of prediabetes, with significant associations found between AP use and insulin resistance. Due to the concerning prevalence of these AP metabolic effects, it becomes important to further elucidate the mechanisms underlying AP effects on glucose metabolism, which are still poorly understood. One potential underlying mechanism is insulin which has been found to regulate hepatic (liver) glucose production through insulin receptors in the brain. These insulin receptors also play a role in neuronal growth and memory, or more broadly, cognition. Preliminary data in rat models has demonstrated that the AP olanzapine (OLA) inhibits the ability of a central insulin stimulus (acting at the level of the brain) to decrease endogenous glucose production (EGP), making this mechanism a prime target to translate from rodent models to human research. Furthermore, intranasal insulin (INI) administration (an analogous central insulin stimulus) has been repeatedly associated with improved cognitive performance for verbal memory and visuospatial functions in humans. Given these findings and with the goal of translational research, the present study will investigate OLA's effects in healthy human volunteers including: (a) the ability of INI to reduce EGP during a pancreatic euglycemic clamp (PEC; a glucose metabolism and insulin procedure); and (b) the ability of INI to improve cognitive performance. More specifically, the present study hypothesizes that: 1. INI will be associated with a decrease in EGP relative to intranasal placebo (INP) as measured by the PEC. This effect will be inhibited if OLA is co-administered. 2. OLA administration will be associated with decrements in cognitive measures (i.e., visuospatial, and verbal memory) as compared to placebo (PL). Additionally, OLA co-administration will block the beneficial effects of INI on cognition previously supported by other studies. 3. INI will result in adaptive changes in neurochemical and neurohemodynamic measures as studied using MRI imaging techniques.
Recruiting2 awards Phase 13 criteria
More about Mahavir Agarwal, MD, PhD
Clinical Trial Related1 year of experience running clinical trials · Led 4 trials as a Principal Investigator · 4 Active Clinical TrialsTreatments Mahavir Agarwal, MD, PhD has experience with
- Humalog
- Saline Nasal Spray
- Intranasal Insulin
- Olanzapine
- Intranasal Insulin
- Placebo
Breakdown of trials Mahavir Agarwal, MD, PhD has run
Major Depressive Disorder
Insulin Resistance
Healthy Controls
Schizophrenia
Other Doctors you might be interested in
Frequently asked questions
Do I need insurance to participate in a trial?
Almost all clinical trials will cover the cost of the ‘trial drug’ — so no insurance is required for this. For trials where this trial drug is given alongside an already-approved medication, there may be a cost (which your insurance would normally cover).
What does Mahavir Agarwal, MD, PhD specialize in?
Mahavir Agarwal, MD, PhD focuses on Depression and Major Depressive Disorder. In particular, much of their work with Depression has involved treating patients, or patients who are undergoing treatment.
Is Mahavir Agarwal, MD, PhD currently recruiting for clinical trials?
Yes, Mahavir Agarwal, MD, PhD is currently recruiting for 4 clinical trials in Toronto Ontario. If you're interested in participating, you should apply.
Are there any treatments that Mahavir Agarwal, MD, PhD has studied deeply?
Yes, Mahavir Agarwal, MD, PhD has studied treatments such as Humalog, Saline Nasal Spray, Intranasal Insulin.
What is the best way to schedule an appointment with Mahavir Agarwal, MD, PhD?
Apply for one of the trials that Mahavir Agarwal, MD, PhD is conducting.
What is the office address of Mahavir Agarwal, MD, PhD?
The office of Mahavir Agarwal, MD, PhD is located at: Centre for Addiction and Mental Health, Toronto, Ontario M6J 1H3 Canada. This is the address for their practice at the Centre for Addiction and Mental Health.
Is there any support for travel costs?
The coverage of travel expenses can vary greatly between different clinical trials. Please see more financial detail in the trials you’re interested to apply.