Lesions involving the insula are associated with reduced appetite and weight loss

Wanzhi Lyu; Joel Bruss; Emily R Dappen; Joseph C Griffis; Benjamin Pace; Brandon Neisewander; Kenneth Manzel; Daniel Tranel; Aaron D Boes; Nicholas T Trapp

doi:10.1093/braincomms/fcag044

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Lesions involving the insula are associated with reduced appetite and weight loss

Journal article

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Peer reviewed

Lesions involving the insula are associated with reduced appetite and weight loss

Wanzhi Lyu, Joel Bruss, Emily R Dappen, Joseph C Griffis, Benjamin Pace, Brandon Neisewander, Kenneth Manzel, Daniel Tranel, Aaron D Boes and Nicholas T Trapp

Brain communications, Vol.8(1), fcag044

2026

DOI: 10.1093/braincomms/fcag044

PMCID: PMC12933212

PMID: 41756215

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Abstract

Eating-related disorders such as anorexia nervosa, bulimia nervosa and obesity are associated with high rates of morbidity and mortality in the United States. To investigate the neuroanatomical structures involved in appetite and weight change, we employed lesion symptom mapping. 358 patients with focal brain lesions and appetite ratings were recruited, as well as 48 patients with pre- and post-lesion weight records. Partial least squares regression identified a significant association between patterns of brain damage and appetite change (model = 0.13, = 0.006), and the relationship between lesion location and weight change was explored using the proportional subtraction method. The right posterior insula was the peak region associated with both decreased appetite and weight loss, providing new insight into the neural correlates of higher-order appetite regulation and weight management.

body weight

appetite

brain lesions

structural MRI

brain−behaviour relationship

Details

Title: Subtitle: Lesions involving the insula are associated with reduced appetite and weight loss
Creators: Wanzhi Lyu - University of Iowa
Joel Bruss - University of Iowa
Emily R Dappen - University of Iowa
Joseph C Griffis - University of Iowa
Benjamin Pace - University of Iowa
Brandon Neisewander - University of Iowa
Kenneth Manzel - University of Iowa
Daniel Tranel - University of Iowa
Aaron D Boes - University of Iowa
Nicholas T Trapp - University of Iowa
Resource Type: Journal article
Publication Details: Brain communications, Vol.8(1), fcag044
DOI: 10.1093/braincomms/fcag044
PMID: 41756215
PMCID: PMC12933212
NLM abbreviation: Brain Commun
ISSN: 2632-1297
eISSN: 2632-1297
Publisher: OXFORD UNIV PRESS
Grant note: National Institute of Mental Health: K23MH125145
National Institute of Mental Health grant K23MH125145 (NTT)
Language: English
Date published: 2026
Academic Unit: Roy J. Carver Department of Biomedical Engineering; Neurology; Psychiatry; Stead Family Department of Pediatrics; Psychological and Brain Sciences; Iowa Neuroscience Institute; Neurology (Pediatrics)
Record Identifier: 9985139489902771

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