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Sustained, Effortless Weight Loss after Damage to the Left Frontoinsular Cortex: A Case Report
Benjamin D Reasoner1, Aaron D Boes1, Joel C Geerling1
1Department of Neurology, University of Iowa Hospitals and Clinics, Iowa City, IA, USA.
Case Reports in Neurology
|April 3, 2023
Summary
Damage to the left frontoinsular cortex may reduce hunger urges. This case report details a patient’s effortless weight loss after tumor resection, suggesting the insular cortex’s role in appetite regulation.
Area of Science:
- Neuroscience
- Neurology
- Endocrinology
Background:
- The insular cortex is implicated in interoception, appetite, and reward-driven behaviors.
- Obesity is a complex metabolic disorder with significant health implications.
- Understanding the neural basis of appetite regulation is crucial for developing effective weight management strategies.
Observation:
- A patient with a sphenoid wing meningioma underwent surgical resection.
- Postoperative imaging revealed damage to the left frontoinsular cortex.
- The patient experienced a significant reduction in appetite and effortless weight loss.
Findings:
- Resection of the left frontoinsular cortex correlated with decreased desire for large meals.
- The patient's body mass index reduced from 38.6 to 24.9 without conscious dieting.
- This suggests a potential role for the left frontoinsular cortex in regulating hunger and overeating.
Implications:
- The left frontoinsular cortex may be a critical neural substrate for modulating hunger-related urges.
- Targeting this region could offer novel therapeutic strategies for obesity and eating disorders.
- Further research is warranted to elucidate the precise mechanisms linking insular function to appetite control.
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