Serotonergic agents in the treatment of hypothalamic obesity syndrome: a case report.
The hypothalamic obesity syndrome is characterized by hyperphagia and excessive weight gain in the presence of demonstrable hypothalamic injury. There have been no previous reports describing the use of serotonergic agents in this condition. We report on a patient with severe hyperphagia and obesity secondary to a hypothalamic lesion, who was treated with consecutive courses of fluoxetine and fenfluramine. Neither treatment resulted in a reduction in food intake or weight. Treatment of hypothalamic obesity with serotonergic agents appears to be of little value, probably because they exert their effect via intact serotonergic-sensitive hypothalamic nuclei.
Jordaan
G P
GP
University of Stellenbosch, Tygerberg, South Africa.
Roberts
M C
MC
Emsley
R A
RA
D000328:Adult; D001835:Body Weight / Q000187:drug effects; D001925:Brain Damage, Chronic / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000503:physiopathology / Q000523:psychology; D004305:Dose-Response Relationship, Drug; D005277:Fenfluramine / Q000627:therapeutic use; D005473:Fluoxetine / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D006801:Humans; D006963:Hyperphagia / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000503:physiopathology / Q000523:psychology; D007027:Hypothalamic Diseases / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000503:physiopathology / Q000523:psychology; D008297:Male; D009765:Obesity / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000503:physiopathology / Q000523:psychology; D017367:Selective Serotonin Reuptake Inhibitors / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D017211:Treatment Failure
D005277:Fenfluramine; D005473:Fluoxetine; D017367:Selective Serotonin Reuptake Inhibitors