In summary, we have shown that hypothalamic TRβ is an important physiological regulator of energy homeostasis because TRβ knockdown in the VMH results in a phenotype of hyperphagia and severe obesity that is comparable to some of the most extreme forms of monogenic obesity (Tecott et al., 1995, Yaswen et al., 1999). The gene discussed is THRB; the disease is obesity disorder.