Hypothalamic obesity

Hypothalamic circuits play a critical role in the regulation of energy homeostasis, a function that is essential for survival. Lesions of the hypothalamus in animals can cause weight gain or weight loss depending on their precise anatomical location and the chemical nature of circuits which are disrupted. Here, we discuss how human genetic disorders which impair the function of key molecular components of these hypothalamic circuits cause hyperphagia and obesity. The detailed molecular and physiological characterisation of these disorders provides direct insights into the mechanisms by which hypothalamic circuits and their projections regulate human physiology and behaviour. Increasingly, the finding of a genetic cause for a person's obesity can inform clinical care and the use of targeted therapies.Clinical trial number: not applicable.