Hypothalamus

Special Topics

The hypothalamus is an area of the brain that produces hormones that control:

Body temperature
Hunger
Mood
Release of hormones from many glands, especially the pituitary gland
Sex drive
Sleep
Thirst
Heart rate

HYPOTHALAMIC DISEASE

Hypothalamic dysfunction can occur as a result of diseases, including:

Genetic causes (often present at birth or during childhood)
Injury as a result of trauma, surgery or radiation
Infection or inflammation

SYMPTOMS OF HYPOTHALAMIC DISEASE

Because the hypothalamus controls so many different functions, hypothalamic disease can have many different symptoms, depending on the cause. The most common symptoms are:

Increased appetite and rapid weight gain
Extreme thirst and frequent urination (diabetes insipidus)
Low body temperature
Slow heart rate

Giustina A, Braunstein GD. Hypothalamic syndromes. In: Jameson JL, De Groot LJ, de Kretser DM, et al, eds. Endocrinology: Adult and Pediatric. 7th ed. Philadelphia, PA: Elsevier Saunders; 2016:chap 10.

Hall JE. Pituitary hormones and their control by the hypothalamus. In: Hall JE, ed. Guyton and Hall Textbook of Medical Physiology. 13th ed. Philadelphia, PA: Elsevier; 2016:chap 76.

Review Date: 5/21/2017

Reviewed By: Laura J. Martin, MD, MPH, ABIM Board Certified in Internal Medicine and Hospice and Palliative Medicine, Atlanta, GA. Also reviewed by David Zieve, MD, MHA, Medical Director, Brenda Conaway, Editorial Director, and the A.D.A.M. Editorial team.

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