The hypothalamus, located under the thalamus, plays a crucial role in homeostasis, regulating functions such as hunger, metabolism, and emotional responses. Studies reveal its involvement in diseases like Huntington's and obesity, highlighting potential treatments targeting the hypothalamus to address metabolic issues and eating behaviors. Additionally, research on fear responses indicates that the hypothalamus influences behaviors beyond traditional views, suggesting a more complex role in emotional regulation.

1. Hypothalamus
E!en Robben and Sophia Freckmann

2. Location
Located under the
Thalamus
Originates $om the
Greek ύπό (below,
under) and θάλαμος
(room, chamber)
Roughly the size of an
Almond

3. Functions
Homeostasis
Hunger & Thirst
Food & Water intake regulation
Fatigue
Sleep Patterns
Blood Pressure
Fluid Balance
Body weight
Sleep/Wake Cycle regulation
It’s your Hypothalamus
Produces & discharges certain neurohormones
talking to YOU!

4. Regulates
Sensory Processing
Body’s Metabolism
Endocrine Hormonal
Levels
Childbirth
Our Emotions
Milk Production
Salt & Water balance in
the body

5. Parts of the Body it Controls
Thyroid glands
Adrenal glands
Ovaries
Testes

6. a quick Did You Know?
Hypothalamus is the regulatory
center of the menstrual cycle
Hypothalamus produces hormone
gonadotrophin (GnRH)
Pituitary gland targeted by
gonadotrophin
Pituitary gland releases two
hormones; fo!icle stimulating
hormone (FSH) & luteinizing Interesting Fact
hormone (LH)
Men produce the same Luteinizing Hormone (LH),
also known as the Interstitial Cell-Stimulating
Hormones target ovaries Hormone (ICSH). The hormone stimulates the
production of Testosterone in men.

7. Hypothalamus and Huntington’s
2011
Study $om Lund, Sweden carried out at Lund University
Huntington’s Disease: causes certain nerve ce!s in the brain to be less responsive
Mice were injected with Huntington’s proteins into the Hypothalamus area
Mice displayed reduced ability to control their metabolism (and appetite)
Immediate changes were seen, the rats started to eat more and gained a lot of weight
Huntington’s proteins altered the normal amount of blood sugar levels in the body, and a resistance to
insulin is developed , making some nerve ce!s unresponsive to important messages. This stops the
metabolic system
Changes seen in the mice brains similar to those seen in Huntington’s patients brains
SO WHAT? Now that we know that the Hypothalamus shows pathological changes appear 10
years before movement problems are seen, new treatments can target this part of the brain and could
help Huntington’s patients $om an earlier stage
One treatment su+ests switching off the mutated Huntington’s disease, resulting in termination of
irregularities in metabolism

8. Hypothalamus and Obesity
2010
Study $om the University of Cambridge
Creation of new anti-obesity drug, works as a reduction to response of Hypothalamus and Amygdala
( both important for appetite control and eating behaviors )
Obese volunteers were viewed under an fMRI and shown pictures of high calorie foods (eg. chocolate
muffin) and low calorie foods (eg. a carrot)
Procedure carried out both a/er two weeks treatment with anti-obesity drug (sibutramine), and two
weeks a/er placebo treatment
Placebo treatment showed that when viewing appetizing foods, more parts of the brain for reward
processing were tri+ered; on drug, reduction of response in Hypothalamus & Amygdala
People with more reduction in response were more likely to eat less and lose more weight

9. Hypothalamus and Fear
2009
Larry Swanson University of Southern California
Studied rats and mice exposed to cats and rival rodents protecting their territory; both
encounters activated part of the Hypothalamus
Next, minor lesions were made to that part of the brain, resulting in the rodents losing
fear in cats as oppose to previous encounters
Also a study on social interaction, the rodents wandered on to rival rodent’s territory
stood upright, and not taking the passive pose that was norma!y taken
Even when losing, they came back for more
Previously thought that fear was responsive in the amygdala; different kind of fear (risk
aversion or caution)
Shows that there isn’t just ONE system that controls a! fear

10. Hypothalamic Dysfunction
Anorexia
Bleeding
Bulimia
Genetic disorders
Growths (tumors)
Head trauma
Infection and swe!ing
Malnutrition
Too Much Iron