Destruction of the ventromedial hypothalamus produces hyperphagia, hyperinsulinemia and
hypertriglyceridemia. These changes appear to be partly the result of increased firing rate of
the vagus nerve and reduced firing rate of the sympathetic nerves. These reciprocal
changes in the function of the autonomic nervous system appear to provide an adequate
explanation for the hyperinsulinemia in this syndrome, and for the reduced heat expenditure.
Destruction of the lateral hypothalamus, has effects opposite to those of the ventromedial …