Bariatric surgery on GLP-1 and ICP in IIH patients

Background

Patients with idiopathic intracranial hypertension (IIH) suffer with severe headaches and visual problems due to raised pressure in the brain (intracranial pressure or ICP). The cause of IIH is unknown, however it mainly affects obese women of childbearing age. Currently there are no suitable therapies for the treatment of IIH, however weight loss has been shown to improve IIH symptoms.

Project Summary

We are currently running a clinical trial comparing two weight loss interventions; bariatric surgery vs diet, to determine which method is most beneficial for the treatment in IIH.

There is evidence that bariatric surgery alters the levels of GLP-1. Therefore we propose to investigate whether bariatric surgery affects the levels of GLP-1 in IIH patients, and if this influences brain pressure.