Figure 2.

Key regulators of energy homeostasis in the brain. Model of weight regulatory circuits and hypothalamic nuclei potentially affected by craniopharyngioma and surgery (gray area). The lesion of medial hypothalamic nuclei (ARC, VMN, DMN) typically does not involve the lateral hypothalamus (LHA) potentially leading to unbalanced expression and secretion of orexigens (MCH, orexigens A and B) by the LHA. Additionally the communication to (1) higher cortical brain areas and limbic system involved in food reward and eating behavior, (2) pituitary, and (3) hindbrain nuclei (AP, area postrema, NTS: solitary tract nucleus) affecting the autonomous nervous control of effectors in pancreas, liver, adipose tissue, GI tract, muscle, CV system might be affected as well. CRF, corticotrophin relasing factor; TRH, thyrotropin-releasing hormone; NPY, neuropeptide-Y; GABA, gamma aminobutyric acid; BDNF, brain-derived neurotrophic factor; POMC, proopiomelanocortin; AgRP, agouti-related peptide; CART, cocaine amphetamine regulated transcript; α-MSH, alpha-melanocyte stimulating hormone.