Liraglutide as a Potentially Useful Agent for Regulating Appetite in Diabetic Patients with Hypothalamic Hyperphagia and Obesity

Hypothalamic hyperphagia and obesity are characterized by a lack of satiety and an abnormally high appetite that is difficult to control. We herein report the cases of two patients with hypothalamic hyperphagia and obesity with MRI-detectable hypothalamic lesions. These patients suffered from diabetes mellitus associated with an abnormal eating behavior and weight gain. Liraglutide was successfully used to treat their diabetes mellitus and suppress their abnormal appetites. Glucagon-like peptide-1 analogues, including liraglutide, are promising treatment options in patients with hypothalamic hyperphagia and obesity, as these agents enhance the hypothalamic input of the satiety signal, which is lacking in such patients.