title: Hypothalamic obesity.
abstract: Hypothalamic obesity represents a rare diagnosis applicable to only a small subset of obese patients. It is important to identify, diagnose, and treat these patients. This article reviews the physiology of the hypothalamus, focusing on its role in regulation of hunger, feeding, and metabolism. The causes of hypothalamic obesity are discussed including genetic, anatomic, and iatrogenic etiologies. The complex hormonal environment leading to obesity is explored for each etiology and treatment strategies are discussed. Reproductive consequences are also reviewed.
authors.affiliation: Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology University of Colorado, Denver, CO, USA - lauren.roth@ucdenver.edu.
authors.forename: S
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Babcock Gilbert
authors.forename: L W
authors.initials: LW
authors.lastname: Roth
mesh_terms: D001066:Appetite / Q000502:physiology; D001067:Appetite Depressants / Q000627:therapeutic use; D050110:Bariatric Surgery; D003397:Craniopharyngioma / Q000150:complications / Q000601:surgery; D004734:Energy Metabolism / Q000502:physiology; D005247:Feeding Behavior / Q000187:drug effects / Q000502:physiology; D006801:Humans; D006963:Hyperphagia / Q000209:etiology / Q000503:physiopathology; D007006:Hypogonadism / Q000209:etiology / Q000503:physiopathology; D007027:Hypothalamic Diseases / Q000150:complications* / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000235:genetics / Q000503:physiopathology / Q000601:surgery; D007028:Hypothalamic Hormones / Q000502:physiology; D007031:Hypothalamus / Q000293:injuries / Q000503:physiopathology*; D007049:Iatrogenic Disease; D007246:Infertility / Q000209:etiology / Q000503:physiopathology; D020738:Leptin / Q000172:deficiency / Q000235:genetics / Q000502:physiology; D009419:Nerve Tissue Proteins / Q000172:deficiency / Q000235:genetics / Q000502:physiology; D009765:Obesity / Q000209:etiology* / Q000235:genetics / Q000503:physiopathology / Q000601:surgery; D010911:Pituitary Neoplasms / Q000150:complications / Q000601:surgery; D011183:Postoperative Complications / Q000503:physiopathology; D011333:Pro-Opiomelanocortin / Q000172:deficiency / Q000235:genetics / Q000502:physiology; D011628:Puberty, Delayed / Q000209:etiology / Q000503:physiopathology; D054411:Receptors, Leptin / Q000172:deficiency / Q000235:genetics / Q000502:physiology; D044101:Receptors, Melanocortin / Q000172:deficiency / Q000235:genetics / Q000502:physiology; D057185:Sedentary Behavior; D000098882:Cocaine- and Amphetamine-Regulated Transcript Protein
chemical_list: D001067:Appetite Depressants; D007028:Hypothalamic Hormones; D020738:Leptin; D009419:Nerve Tissue Proteins; D054411:Receptors, Leptin; D044101:Receptors, Melanocortin; D000098882:Cocaine- and Amphetamine-Regulated Transcript Protein; D011333:Pro-Opiomelanocortin