The present invention is directed to a method for treating a patient suffering from the metabolic syndrome, Type 2 diabetes, obesity, or prediabetes, comprising the step of increasing the ratio of dopaminergic neuronal to noradrenergic neuronal activity within the central nervous system and particularly the hypothalamus of the central nervous system of the patient.In another aspect, the present invention is directed to a method for treating a patient suffering from a metabolic disorder such as the metabolic syndrome, Type 2 diabetes, obesity, or prediabetes, and the metabolic sequale of these diseases including cardiovascular, cerebrovascular, renal and hepatic diseases, comprising the step of: administering to a patient suffering from the metabolic syndrome, Type 2 diabetes, obesity, or prediabetes a pharmaceutical composition comprising (1) at least one compound that stimulates an increase in central dopaminergic neuronal activity level in the subject, and (2) at least one compound that stimulates a decrease in central noradrenergic neuronal activity level in the subject. The present invention is also directed to pharmaceutical compositions that include the above compounds and a pharmaceutically acceptable carrier.
