Prader-Willi Syndrome (PWS) is a genetic neurodevelopmental disorder caused by a lack of expression of multiple genes on paternal chromosome 15. PWS is a rare disorder affecting an estimated 10,000 to 20,000 individuals in the United States and approximately 350,000 to 400,000 worldwide. The condition is characterized by developmental delays, physical and cognitive challenges, and severe hyperphagia that can lead to early onset obesity and metabolic disorders. PWS-associated hyperphagia manifests as a feeling of intense persistent hunger, food preoccupation, extreme drive to food-seeking behaviors that severely impact the life of both the patients and the caregivers.

Hypothalamic Obesity (HO) is a rare form of obesity that is a result of a variety of hypothalamic pathophysiologies in the brain. The hypothalamus is responsible for regulating fundamental biological processes such as temperature control, sleep cycles, and feeding behavior. This condition is characterized by uncontrollable hunger (hyperphagia), metabolic dysfunction, and weight gain. HO is most commonly caused by sequelae from the treatment of hypothalamic and pituitary tumors (e.g., craniopharyngiomas).