J Korean Ster Func Neurosurg.  2021 Jun;17(1):14-23. 10.52662/jksfn.2021.00059.

Deep brain stimulation for obesity or binge-eating behavior: an overview

• Roh H
• Kim JH

• KMID: 2534566
• DOI: http://doi.org/10.52662/jksfn.2021.00059

Abstract

Obesity is a global epidemic, leading to huge burdens on both individuals and society. Non-invasive approaches, such as lifestyle modification or medication, have been regarded as a first-line treatment. However, these have shown only limited success. For patients with medically refractory obesity, surgical options (e.g., gastric bypass or sleeve gastrectomy) have been attempted, although they also have a high rate of recurrence and may cause nutritional complications. Beyond body weight itself or peripheral systems that control body weight, recent evidence has suggested that obesity or binge eating behavior is closely associated with the hedonic properties of highly palatable food, which is mediated by the dopamine system in the brain reward circuit. In this context, deep brain stimulation for medically refractory obese patients has gained attention as a novel treatment that challenges the traditional paradigm of treatment for obesity. In this review article, we summarize the evidence from animal experiments and human studies dealing with deep brain stimulation for obesity or binge-eating disorder. We also explain the theoretical background of obesity as it relates to the reward circuit and introduce current ongoing human trials for obesity.

Keyword

Binge eating; Deep brain stimulation; Hypothalamus; Nucleus accumbens; Obesity; Reward