A Condition of Excess Weight Gain from Injury to the Hypothalamus
According to Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia (view source), hypothalamic obesity is a type of obesity that is caused when some parts of the hypothalamus do not function normally. One of the most common reasons for a person to develop hypothalamic obesity is the brain tumor and/or its treatment impacting the hypothalamus. An injury to the hypothalamus can cause the condition.
Rapid, sustained, excessive weight gain can indicate hypothalamic obesity. Children [and adults] with hypothalamic obesity often continue to gain weight even when their food intake is limited, which can be different from other forms of obesity.
Some patients, though by no means all, have uncontrollable hunger called “hyperphagia” and may demonstrate abnormal food-seeking behavior, such as sneaking or stealing food. Our team has shown that hyperphagia impacts significantly the survivor quality of life and incurs significant burden on their caregivers (Caregiver Impact Study).
Craniopharyngioma and other tumors that occur near the hypothalamus are primarily the cause of the condition — either from the tumor encroaching on the hypothalamus and/or from treatment of the tumor which can cause hypothalamic injury.
Hypothalamic obesity is one of the most challenging co-morbidities of these tumors and impacts the survivor’s quality of life. Currently, there are no treatments for this condition and, for many that suffer from HO, typical obesity interventions like diet changes and exercise do not offset the weight gain. HO can also trigger other conditions including type 2 diabetes and non-alcoholic fatty liver disease.
The Raymond A. Wood Foundation works to inform the medical research community of the devastating effects of this condition from the perspective of the patient and caregiver in hopes that a viable treatment option can emerge soon.
Struggling to manage the challenges of hypothalamic obesity? Join a support group »
Nutrition Management for Hypothalamic Obesity
2023 Pituitary Brain Tumor Patient Conference
Watch an insightful presentation from the 2023 Pituitary Brain Tumor Patient Conference, featuring Marci Serota, RDN, as she delves into nutrition management for patients with hypothalamic obesity (HO).
In this video, Marci Serota shares her expertise on:
- Understanding hypothalamic obesity and its unique challenges
- Key dietary strategies to manage weight and improve overall health
- The importance of balanced nutrition tailored for HO patients
- Practical tips for meal planning and maintaining a healthy lifestyle
HO Clinical Trials
SIGNAL Study
The SIGNAL Study is a clinical research study looking at an investigational once-daily tablet for people with hypothalamic obesity. The study aims to see if the investigational tablet is safe and effective in reducing body mass index (BMI) and excessive hunger in people with hypothalamic obesity.
Find Out MoreLooking for information on all current clinical trials for hypothalamic obesity? Visit our Clinical Trial Finder on our website to explore the latest research opportunities and advancements
Clinical Trial FinderHypothalamic Obesity Resources
Hope for HO – a mother shares her experiences in finding a solution for her son’s HO.
HO Clinical Trials Panel – a recent panel of principle investigators on promising treatments for HO.
Hungry for Solutions, Marci Serota, RDN This book was written by a mother and registered dietician sharing her quest to find solutions for her son with HO.
Would You Know How to Recognize and Treat Hypothalamic Obesity?
Marci Serota, RDN with Eugenie Hsu, PhD and Shana McCormack, MD, MTR
Feasibility, safety, and efficacy of dietary or lifestyle interventions for hypothalamic obesity: A systematic review.
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Chartoumpekis DV, Habeos EE, Psilopanagioti A. Evaluating the effectiveness and underlying mechanisms of incretin-based treatments for hypothalamic obesity: A narrative review. Obes Pillars. 2024 Feb 24;10:100104. doi: 10.1016/j.obpill.2024.100104. PMID: 38463533; PMCID: PMC10924130.
Roth CL, McCormack SE. Acquired hypothalamic obesity: A clinical overview and update. Diabetes Obes Metab. 2024 Apr;26 Suppl 2:34-45. doi: 10.1111/dom.15530. Epub 2024 Mar 7. PMID: 38450938.
Gatta-Cherifi B, Mohammedi K, Cariou T, Poitou C, Touraine P, Raverot G, Brue T, Chanson P, Illouz F, Grunenwald S, Chabre O, Sonnet E, Cuny T, Bertherat J, Czernichow S, Frison E, Tabarin A. Impact of exenatide on weight loss and eating behavior in adults with craniopharyngioma-related obesity: the CRANIOEXE randomized placebo-controlled trial. Eur J Endocrinol.
Pereira Neto B, Pais Cunha I, Leite-Almeida AL, Ferreira S, Coelho J, Lago R, Pereira J, Gil-da-Costa MJ, Almeida P, Castro-Correia C. Quality of Life and Hormonal Impairment in Pediatric Patients With Craniopharyngiomas. Cureus. 2024 Jan 20;16(1):e52621. doi: 10.7759/cureus.52621. PMID: 38374867; PMCID: PMC10875977.
Ng VWW, Gerard G, Koh JJK, Loke KY, Lee YS, Ng NBH. The role of glucagon-like peptide 1 receptor agonists for weight control in individuals with acquired hypothalamic obesity-A systematic review. Clin Obes. 2024 Jun;14(3):e12642. doi: 10.1111/cob.12642. Epub 2024 Jan 25. PMID: 38273176.
van Santen HM, Denzer C, Müller HL. Could setmelanotide be the game-changer for acquired hypothalamic obesity? Front Endocrinol (Lausanne). 2024 Jan 4;14:1307889. doi: 10.3389/fendo.2023.1307889. PMID: 38239988; PMCID: PMC10794340.
Gan HW, Cerbone M, Dattani MT. Appetite- and Weight-Regulating Neuroendocrine Circuitry in Hypothalamic Obesity. Endocr Rev. 2024 May 7;45(3):309-342. doi: 10.1210/endrev/bnad033. PMID: 38019584; PMCID: PMC11074800.
Roth CL, Zenno A. Treatment of hypothalamic obesity in people with hypothalamic injury: new drugs are on the horizon. Front Endocrinol (Lausanne). 2023 Sep 13;14:1256514. doi: 10.3389/fendo.2023.1256514. PMID: 37780616; PMCID: PMC10533996.
Hu HZ, Lei L. Bariatric surgery for hypothalamic obesity in patients with craniopharyngioma: A literature review. Asian J Surg. 2023 Dec;46(12):5479. doi: 10.1016/j.asjsur.2023.07.117. Epub 2023 Aug 1. PMID: 37537035.
Dassen AR, van Schaik J, van den Munckhof P, Schuurman PR, Hoving EW, van Santen HM. Could deep brain stimulation be a possible solution for acquired hypothalamic obesity? Heliyon. 2023 Mar 9;9(3):e14411. doi: 10.1016/j.heliyon.2023.e14411. PMID: 36967879; PMCID: PMC10036662
Sciacovelli C, Moschione G, Garelli S, Pagotto U. Semaglutide for Treating Obesity Induced by Craniopharyngioma Resection: A Successful Case Study. JCEM Case Rep. 2023 Jul 27;1(4):luad074. doi: 10.1210/jcemcr/luad074. PMID: 37908981; PMCID: PMC10580492.
Yousuf OK, Salehani A, Zimmerman K, Estevez-Ordonez D, Madura C, Arynchyna-Smith A, Johnston JM, Rozzelle CJ, Rocque BG, Blount JP. Does subtotal resection ameliorate hypothalamic morbidity in pediatric craniopharyngioma? A 30-year retrospective cohort study. J Neurosurg Pediatr. 2023 Aug 11;32(5):569-575. doi: 10.3171/2023.5.PEDS22568.
van Roessel IMAA, de Graaf JP, Biermasz NR, Charmandari E, van Santen HM. Acquired hypothalamic dysfunction in childhood: ‘what do patients need?’ – an Endo-ERN survey. Endocr Connect. 2023 Sep 13;12(10):e230147. doi: 10.1530/EC-23-0147. PMID: 37531603; PMCID: PMC10503223.
Kayadjanian N, Hsu EA, Wood AM, Carson DS. Caregiver Burden and Its Relationship to Health-Related Quality of Life in Craniopharyngioma Survivors. J Clin Endocrinol Metab. 2023 Dec 21;109(1):e76-e87. doi: 10.1210/clinem/dgad488. PMID: 37597173; PMCID: PMC10735386.
Van Schaik J, Schouten-van Meeteren AYN, Vos-Kerkhof E, Janssens GO, Porro GL, Fiocco M, Bakker B, Tissing WJE, Hoving EW, van Santen HM. Treatment and outcome of the Dutch Childhood Craniopharyngioma Cohort study: First results after centralization of care. Neuro Oncol. 2023 Dec 8;25(12):2250-2261. doi: 10.1093/neuonc/noad112. PMID: 37381692; PMCID: PMC10708930.
Schultes B, Ernst B. Long-term outcomes after gastric bypass surgery in patients with craniopharyngioma-related hypothalamic obesity-Three cases with 7, 8, and 14 years follow-up. Obes Res Clin Pract. 2023 Jul-Aug;17(4):361-365. doi: 10.1016/j.orcp.2023.06.004. Epub 2023 Jun 26. PMID: 37380506.
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McCormack SE, Wang Z, Wade KL, Dedio A, Cilenti N, Crowley J, Plessow F, Bamba V, Roizen JD, Jiang Y, Stylli J, Ramakrishnan A, Platt ML, Shekdar K, Fisher MJ, Vetter VL, Hocking M, Xiao R, Lawson EA. A Pilot Randomized Clinical Trial of Intranasal Oxytocin to Promote Weight Loss in Individuals With Hypothalamic Obesity. J Endocr Soc. 2023 Mar 17;7(5):bvad037. doi: 10.1210/jendso/bvad037. PMID: 37153702; PMCID: PMC10154909.
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Rachmasari KN, Strauss SB, Phillips CD, Lantos JE, An A, Cisse B, Ramakrishna R, Schwartz TH, Dobri GA. Posterior hypothalamic involvement on pre-operative MRI predicts hypothalamic obesity in craniopharyngiomas. Pituitary. 2023 Feb;26(1):105-114. doi: 10.1007/s11102-022-01294-0. Epub 2022 Dec 3. PMID: 36462067.
Shoemaker AH, Tamaroff J. Approach to the Patient With Hypothalamic Obesity. J Clin Endocrinol Metab. 2023 Apr 13;108(5):1236-1242. doi: 10.1210/clinem/dgac678. PMID: 36413492; PMCID: PMC10306088.
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Oxytocin and Naltrexone Successfully Treat Hypothalamic Obesity in a Boy Post-Craniopharyngioma Resection
Eugenie A Hsu, Jennifer L Miller, Francisco A Perez, Christian L Roth
Hypothalamic Obesity: Prologue and Promise
Abuzzahab M.J.a, Roth C.L.b, Shoemaker A.H.c
A Pilot Randomized Clinical Trial of Intranasal Oxytocin to Promote Weight Loss in Individuals With Hypothalamic Obesity
Shana E McCormack, Zi Wang, Kristin L Wade, Anna Dedio, Nicolette Cilenti, Julia Crowley, Franziska Plessow, Vaneeta Bamba, Jeffrey D Roizen, Yaoguang Jiang, Jack Stylli, Arjun Ramakrishnan, Michael L Platt, Karuna Shekdar, Michael J Fisher, Victoria L Vetter, Matthew Hocking, Rui Xiao, Elizabeth A Lawson
Help Advance Research in Hypothalamic Obesity
Your voice is crucial in addressing the challenges of hypothalamic obesity and hyperphagia! Join us in shaping the future of research by enrolling in the Hypothalamic Pituitary Brain Tumor Patient Registry. Your participation, at your own pace, will contribute valuable insights to better understand and treat these conditions
Presentations on Hypothalamic Obesity
Hypothalamic Obesity News
Updates on Current and Pending Hypothalamic Obesity Clinical Trials
Raymond A. Wood Foundation Partners with STOP Obesity Alliance
Dear Parents: Here’s What I Want You to Know About Managing HO
RAWF Hosts Patient Listening Session on HO
Support Our Work
The Raymond A. Wood Foundation advocates for survivors and caregivers faced with challenges after brain tumor treatment. A donation — big or small — helps us do this important work.
