Metabolic Dysfunction in New-Onset Idiopathic Intracranial Hypertension: Identification of Novel Biomarkers

Johanne Juhl Korsbæk, Rigmor Højland Jensen, Dagmar Beier, Elisabeth Arnberg Wibroe, Snorre Malm Hagen, Laleh Dehghani Molander, Matthew Paul Gillum, Katrine Svart, Thomas Folkmann Hansen, Lisette J.A. Kogelman, Connar Stanley James Westgate*

*Corresponding author for this work

Research output: Contribution to journalJournal articleResearchpeer-review

2 Downloads (Pure)

Abstract

Objective
Idiopathic intracranial hypertension (IIH) is a neurometabolic disease with an increasing incidence. The pathophysiology is unknown, but improvement of diagnosis and management requires discovery of novel biomarkers. Our objective was to identify such candidate biomarkers in IIH, and secondarily, test for associations between identified metabolites and disease severity.

Methods
This is a prospective case–control study with collection of cerebrospinal fluid (CSF), serum, and clinical data from new-onset, treatment-naïve patients with IIH (n = 60). Patients were included consecutively from 2 tertiary headache centers in Denmark, and age, sex, and body mass index (BMI) -matched healthy controls (n = 35) were recruited. Clinical data were retrieved at ocular remission (n = 55). Samples were analyzed using non-targeted mass spectrometry.

Results
Serum sphingosine 1-phosphate (S1P), adenosine, and glutamate were 0.46-fold (q < 0.0001), 0.25-fold (q = 0.0048), and 0.44-fold (q < 0.0001) lower, respectively, in IIH. CSF stearoyl-lysophosphatidylcholine (LysoPC-18) and 2-palmitoyl-lysophosphatidylcholine (LysoPC-16) were 0.42 (q = 0.0025) and 0.37 (q < 0.001) -fold lower. LysoPC-18 was higher in patients with moderate–severe versus mild papilledema (p = 0.022). LysoPC-18 correlated positively with retinal nerve fiber layer thickness (p = 0.0012, r = 0.42) and inversely with mean deviation on automated perimetry (p = 0.01, r = −0.35). Higher baseline serum S1P (p = 0.018) and lower CSF LysoPC-16 (p = 0.003) were associated with optic nerve atrophy at ocular remission. Pathway analysis suggests dysregulated lipid metabolism and redox disturbances in new-onset IIH.

Interpretation
We identify perturbed metabolism in new-onset IIH. S1P and LysoPC-16 demonstrate potential prognostic value due to association with subsequent optic nerve atrophy. This association between specific, differential metabolites and outcome provides substantial evidence for novel biomarkers of clinical significance that should be the focus of further targeted studies. ANN NEUROL 2024;96:595–607
Original languageEnglish
JournalAnnals of Neurology
Volume96
Issue number3
Pages (from-to)595-607
Number of pages13
ISSN0364-5134
DOIs
Publication statusPublished - Sept 2024

Fingerprint

Dive into the research topics of 'Metabolic Dysfunction in New-Onset Idiopathic Intracranial Hypertension: Identification of Novel Biomarkers'. Together they form a unique fingerprint.

Cite this