Clinical Significance and Therapeutic Management of Weight Loss in Patients With Idiopathic Intracranial Hypertension

Obesity is a diagnostic hallmark of idiopathic intracranial hypertension (IIH).1,2 A significant body of evidence indicates that beyond being comorbid conditions, in many patients obesity plays a causal role in the pathophysiology of IIH.3 Numerous studies show that body weight influences intracranial pressure (ICP) and the symptom severity of IIH.4,5 Based on this evidence, 2 clinical trials evaluating the influence of weight loss on the clinical course of IIH have been completed.6,7 Although the trials were both uncontrolled, the results convincingly showed that obesity and IIH are causally linked, and that active weight loss would be an effective treatment strategy. © 2022 American Academy of Neurology.