Lateral hypothalamic activity indicates hunger and satiety states in humans

Authors

Omid Talakoub, University of Toronto
Raquel R. Paiva, University of Sao Paulo Medical School
Matija Milosevic, University of Toronto
Marcelo Q. Hoexter, University of Sao Paulo Medical University
Ruth Franco, University of Sao Paulo Medical School
Eduardo Alho, University of Sao Paulo Medical School
Jessie Navarro, University of Sao Paulo Medical School
Jose F. Pereira Jr., University of Sao Paulo Medical School
Milos R. Popovic, University of Toronto
Cary Savage, Banner Alzheimer's InstituteFollow
Antonio C. Lopes, University of Sao Paulo Medical University
Pedro Alvarenga, University of Sao Paulo Medical University
Durval Damiani, University of Sao Paulo Medical School
Manoel J. Teixeira, University of Sao Paulo Medical University
Euripides C. Miguel, University of Sao Paulo Medical School
Erich T. Fonoff, University of Sao Paulo Medical School
Marcelo C. Batistuzzo, University of Sao Paulo Medical School
Clement Hamani, Campbell Family Mental Health Research InstituteFollow

Date of this Version

2017

Document Type

Article

Citation

Annals of Clinical and Translational Neurology 2017; 4(12): 897–901

Comments

© 2017 The Authors.

Open access

doi: 10.1002/acn3.466

Abstract

Lateral hypothalamic area (LHA) local field potentials (LFPs) were recorded in a Prader–Willi patient undergoing deep brain stimulation (DBS) for obesity. During hunger, exposure to food-related cues induced an increase in beta/ low-gamma activity. In contrast, recordings during satiety were marked by prominent alpha rhythms. Based on these findings, we have delivered alphafrequency DBS prior to and during food intake. Despite reporting an early sensation of fullness, the patient continued to crave food. This suggests that the pattern of activity in LHA may indicate hunger/satiety states in humans but attest to the complexity of conducting neuromodulation studies in obesity.