Advanced Neuroimaging in Idiopathic Intracranial Hypertension

Conditions

• Glymphatic System
• Idiopathic Intracranial Hypertension (IIH)

Eligibility Criteria

Sex

ALL

Age

18 Years - 55 Years

Healthy Volunteers

Not accepted

Study Details

Idiopathic intracranial hypertension (IIH) is characterized by elevated intracranial pressure leading to symptoms like papilledema, headache, and cognitive dysfunction. While the etiology is complex, abnormal cerebrospinal fluid dynamics due to venous outflow restriction from transverse sinus stenosis (TSS) is common. TSS may disrupt the glymphatic system, a brain-wide network facilitating cerebrospinal fluid and interstitial fluid exchange, by impairing CSF absorption, altering perivascular space dynamics, and disrupting pressure gradients crucial for waste clearance. Venous sinus stenting (VSS) can improve symptoms in many patients by alleviating venous congestion, but its effects on glymphatic function are unclear. This prospective study aims to evaluate novel quantitative brain imaging metrics as surrogate markers to better understand IIH pathophysiology before and after VSS in patients with refractory IIH and TSS. The investigators will use advanced MRI techniques, including MR elastography (MRE) to assess brain stiffness, diffusion tensor imaging (DTI) to evaluate water diffusion, arterial spin labeling (ASL) imaging to measure blood-brain barrier (BBB) permeability, and functional MRI to analyze pain networks. The investigators hypothesize that 1) these noninvasive imaging metrics will correlate with the degree of venous congestion and changes after venous sinus stenting (VSS) and 2) the imaging findings will correlate with clinical treatment outcomes. By correlating imaging markers with venous pressures and symptom changes, the investigators aim to gain insights into IIH mechanisms, expand diagnostic tools, and potentially guide clinical decision-making and treatment response monitoring. The overarching goal is to better understand IIH's underlying pathophysiology, which could lead to improved diagnostic criteria, more targeted treatments, and better prediction of treatment outcomes for patients with this challenging condition.

Key Dates

Start date

Mar 3, 2025

Status verified

Apr 2025

Primary completion

Dec 31, 2025

Completion

Dec 31, 2025

Study Design

Enrollment

30 participants (estimated)

Arms

• Arm: Patients with TSS
  Pre- and post-stenting

Primary Outcome Measure

Advanced MRI measurements changes pre- and post-stenting [ Time Frame: 3 months ]

Central Contacts

• Enchao Qiu, MD PhD
  215-955-1149
  [email protected]
• Mary Hopkins
  215 955-2680
  [email protected]

Locations (1)

Find similar trials in Philadelphia, PA

Related Studies

• Tirzepatide in Idiopathic Intracranial Hypertension Trial
  PHASE4 · Not Yet Recruiting · Duke University · Durham, North Carolina
• Light Therapy to Improve Sleep in TBI: Sleep-active Biomarkers and Glymphatic Function
  Recruiting · Oregon Health and Science University · Portland, Oregon
• Sleep and Performance
  Recruiting · University of Washington · Seattle, Washington