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 inj ury. There have been no previous reports describing the use of seroton ergic agents in this condition. We report on a patient with severe hyp erphagia and obesity secondary to a hypothalamic lesion, who was treat ed with consecutive courses of fluoxetine and fenfluramine. Neither tr eatment resulted in a reduction in food intake or weight. Treatment of hypothalamic obesity with serotonergic agents appears to be oi little value, probably because they exert their effect via intact serotonerg ic-sensitive hypothalamic nuclei. (C) 1996 by John Wiley & Sons, Inc.