Long-term intranasal oxytocin therapy in patients with hypothalamic syndrome: case series and literature review
Abstract
Context Hypothalamic syndrome (HS) is a rare endocrine disorder resulting from Prader-Willi syndrome (PWS), craniopharyngiomas, ROHHAD syndrome, and unknown etiologies. Oxytocin has been shown to facilitate weight loss in children with HS and affect behavior. In this study, we aimed to observe the efficacy and safety of oxytocin treatment in HS patients, including those with PWS. Case description We described four PWS patients and nine non-PWS patients who received oxytocin treatment (16–24 IU/day) for 6 months. Two patients with ROHHAD syndrome were followed up for 1 year. Overall, patients exhibited reductions in BMI z-score ((4.36 (1.16, 13.18)) vs (4.20 ± 2.62)), Hyperphagia Questionnaire for Clinical Trials (HQ-CT) ((16.00 ± 8.59) vs (11.3 ± 6.31)), PWS Behavioral Questionnaire (PWSBQ) ((56.75 ± 27.24) vs (44.25 ± 23.89)) and the Epworth Sleepiness Scale (ESS) ((14.63 ± 42.55) vs (12.87 ± 5.77)), but some reversed at 6 months. Autonomic dysregulation in non-PWS patients improved at 3 months and remained stable at 6 months. No severe advance effects were observed. Conclusion Our study demonstrated that intranasal oxytocin administration improved appetite, behavioral symptoms, and sleep quality in the majority of patients. Notably, autonomic dysregulation was also alleviated in non-PWS cases, suggesting its potential as an alternative therapy for specific HS subtypes. However, further validation through larger-scale studies and extended follow-up is warranted to confirm…
Read the paper
Related studies
- Tryptophan Metabolism and Gut-Brain Homeostasis
- Rationale for a Multi-Factorial Approach for the Reversal of Cognitive Decline in Alzheimer’s Disease and MCI: A Review
- Prioritized Research for the Prevention, Treatment, and Reversal of Chronic Disease: Recommendations From the Lifestyle Medicine Research Summit
- Relationship between sleep disorders and gut dysbiosis: what affects what?
- The role of CLOCK gene in psychiatric disorders: Evidence from human and animal research
- Genetic, Transcriptome, Proteomic, and Epidemiological Evidence for Blood-Brain Barrier Disruption and Polymicrobial Brain Invasion as Determinant Factors in Alzheimer’s Disease
Go deeper in Evidence Hub
Evidence Hub adds a study data sheet (design, sample size, evidence level, key numbers), an AI summary and a chat grounded in the paper's text.