Skip to main content
SpringerLink
Log in

Stereotaxic stimulation and electrocoagulation of the lateral hypothalamus in obese humans

  • Published:
Acta Neurochirurgica Aims and scope Submit manuscript

Summary

Five patients with gross obesity were subjected to an electrostimulatory exploration of the lateral hypothalamic area. In three cases a convincing hunger response was elicited. Two of these patients received unilateral electrocoagulatory lesions, and in the third a contralateral (left sided) coagulation was performed three months later. In contrast to the two patients who had only been explored, the patients with lesions showed a statistically significant, but transient decrease from preoperative to postoperative spontaneous calorie intake. Body weight decreased slightly and temporarily, but was not significantly affected. It is concluded that in humans, as well as in experimental animals, the lateral hypothalamus is the site of nuclei or tracts that are related to hunger.

This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.

Access this article

Log in via an institution

Price excludes VAT (USA)
Tax calculation will be finalised during checkout.

Instant access to the full article PDF.

Institutional subscriptions

Similar content being viewed by others

References

  1. Anand, B. K., and J. R. Brobeck, Hypothalamic control of food intake in rats and cats. Yale J. Biol.24 (1951), 123–140.

    PubMed  Google Scholar 

  2. Brobeck, J. R., J. Tepperman, and C. N. H. Long, Experimental hypothalamic hyperphagia in the albino rat. Yale J. Biol.15 (1943), 831–853.

    Google Scholar 

  3. , Neural regulation of food intake. Ann. N.Y. Acad. Sci.63, Art. 1 (1955), 44–55.

    PubMed  Google Scholar 

  4. Hetherington, A. W., and S. W. Ranson, Hypothalamic lesions and adiposity in rat. Anat. Rec.78 (1940), 149–155.

    Google Scholar 

  5. Larsson, S., On the hypothalamic organisation of the nervous mechanism regulating food intake. Part I. Hyperphagia from stimulation of the hypothalamus in sheep and goats. Acta physiol. scand.32, suppl. 115 (1954), 1–40.

    Google Scholar 

  6. Mayer, J., R. G. French, C. F. Zighera, and R. J. Barnett, Hypothalamic obesity in the mouse. Production, description and metabolic characteristics. Amer. J. Physiol.182 (1955), 75–82.

    PubMed  Google Scholar 

Download references

Author information

Author notes

  1. F. Quaade

    Present address: Department of Medicine B, Bispebjerg Hospital, Denmark

  2. K. Yærnet

    Present address: Department of Neurosurgery, Rigshospitalet, The University of Copenhagen, Denmark

  3. S. Larsson

    Present address: The Institute of Physiology, The University of Odense, Denmark

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Medicine B, Bispebjerg Hospital, Denmark

    K. Yærnet & S. Larsson

  2. Department of Neurosurgery, Rigshospitalet, The University of Copenhagen, Denmark

    F. Quaade & S. Larsson

  3. The Institute of Physiology, The University of Odense, Denmark

    F. Quaade & K. Yærnet

Authors
  1. F. Quaade
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  2. K. Yærnet
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  3. S. Larsson
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

Additional information

This work was supported by a grant from the King Christian X Foundation.

Rights and permissions

Reprints and permissions

About this article

Cite this article

Quaade, F., Yærnet, K. & Larsson, S. Stereotaxic stimulation and electrocoagulation of the lateral hypothalamus in obese humans. Acta neurochir 30, 111–117 (1974). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF01405759

Download citation

  • Issue Date:

  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/BF01405759

Keywords

Search

Navigation