The Potentially Modifiable Risk Factor in Idiopathic Intracranial Hypertension: Body Weight.

Abstract

Idiopathic intracranial hypertension (IIH) prevalence increased in conjunction with rising obesity rates. Here, we highlight the importance of weight management in IIH and introduce glucagon-like peptide 1 (GLP-1) receptor agonists (RAs) as potential treatment strategy for IIH. Weight gain is a risk factor for IIH, and weight loss (via any treatment strategy) plays a key role in IIH management. GLP-1 is an incretin secreted by the distal small intestine in response to a meal. GLP-1 RAs have been shown to improve glycaemic control (no hypoglycaemia) and lower body weight in patients with and without type 2 diabetes. The choroid plexus has been found to express GLP-1 receptors, and treatment with a GLP-1 RA significantly reduces CSF secretion in vitro and intracranial pressure (ICP) in rodents. New research evaluating the pathophysiology of IIH supports GLP-1 RA as a potential treatment for IIH via weight loss dependent and independent mechanism to directly reduce ICP.