NEUROPSYCHIATRIC MANIFESTATIONS OF HYPOTHALAMIC SCLEROSIS: A COMPREHENSIVE REVIEW

Abstract

Introduction: Hypothalamic sclerosis is a rare condition characterized by progressive degeneration of the hypothalamus, a crucial region of the brain responsible for several neuroendocrine and autonomic functions. This integrative review aims to better understand the clinical aspects, diagnosis and treatment of this disease. Objective: To investigate the current scientific literature on hypothalamic sclerosis, seeking to understand its causes, clinical manifestations, diagnostic methods and available therapeutic options. Methodology: An integrative review of the literature was carried out, using medical databases, the descriptors in health sciences (DeCs): “Hypothalamic Sclerosis”, “Psychiatric Care”, “Surgery”, “Integration of Care”, combined with each other by the Boolean operators AND and OR.  Studies that addressed hypothalamic sclerosis in humans, published in the last ten years, were included. Results: Analysis of the selected studies revealed that hypothalamic sclerosis can present a wide variety of symptoms, including endocrine disorders, changes in body weight, sleep disorders and autonomic dysfunctions. Early diagnosis is challenging due to the rarity of the condition and the diversity of clinical presentations. Treatment is mainly symptomatic and multidisciplinary, focused on managing symptoms and improving patients' quality of life. Conclusion: Hypothalamic sclerosis is a complex and challenging condition that requires a multidisciplinary approach for proper diagnosis and management. More research is needed to better elucidate the underlying mechanisms, develop more accurate diagnostic methods, and identify new therapeutic strategies.