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hypothalamic surgery

Posted by PHILIP on November 01, 1999 at 12:51:46:


Congress of Neurological Surgeons 26-Oct-99

Hypothalamic Gamma Knife irradiation May Help Treat Obesity

CONTACT: Deia Lofendo (847) 518-2519 drl@aans.org


In the experiment, 36 Zucker rats were randomized into treatment and non-treatment groups. The treatment group received two doses of 40Gy radiation to the hypothalamus. The rats were then observed and weekly weights were obtained for 34 weeks. During this time, the animals were allowed unlimited access to food and water. Beginning at week nine, and continuing throughout the study, the treated animals experienced a significant reduction in weight.

"The results of the trial are far greater than we expected," said Dr. Vincent."None of the rats exhibited adverse effects or became emaciated. Rather, the treatment rats assumed a new and lower set body weight, thereby suggesting that
the function of the weight-associated hypothalamic nuclei was modulated and probably not destroyed." "A great deal of work has yet to be done," said Dr. Vincent, "but the fact that the treatment rats lose weight and stabilize at a new, lower set weight is exciting. It is my hope that future trials will continue to be effective and shed more light on the field of obesity research."

The Gamma Knife is a non-invasive neurosurgical tool designed to minimize the effects of radiation by sending multiple radiation beams to converge on one target
point. The helmet-like device is worn by the patient and has 201 round holes in it,which aim a single, high dose of Gamma Knife radiation at the targeted tissue. The treatment is done in a single sitting and results in increased biological efficacy with decreased hospital stay and side effects.


To view a special presentation on Gamma Radiosurgery, visit
www.neurosurgery.org/pubpages/whatis/radiosurgery.html.

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