Method and apparatuses for manipulating an endocrine body-temperature set-point in humans and warm-blooded animals

A method for manipulating an endocrine body temperature set-point in a human or a warm-blooded animal, the method comprises:

• providing a guide tube, the guide tube is of a hollow tubular profile, the guide tube has a proximal end and a distal end, a proximal end portion of the guide tube is pre-formed to have a directional bend;
• inserting the guide tube at the proximal end, through a nostril into a nasal cavity in proximity to sphenoid sinuses of a subject;
• upon inserting the guide tube, inserting a catheter through the guide tube, wherein a leading end of the catheter is positioned over the sphenoid sinuses, wherein the directional bend of the guide tube is configured to direct the leading end of the catheter over the sphenoid sinuses;
• applying a heat exchange medium, through the catheter, at a predetermined temperature selectively to the sphenoid sinuses for a predetermined duration to manipulate a temperature of a pituitary gland without manipulating a temperature of a hypothalamus;
• and
• detecting an endocrine metabolic response in response to the application of the heat exchange medium.