The Role of Obesity Treatment in the Management of Idiopathic Intracranial Hypertension

Introduction: Idiopathic intracranial hypertension (IIH) is a rare neurological condition characterized by elevated intracranial pressure in the absence of a detectable cause. It predominantly affects obese women of childbearing age. The underlying pathophysiological mechanisms remain unclear, but increasing evidence suggests a significant role of obesity-related metabolic and hormonal disturbances. Materials and methods: A review of selected literature in the PubMed database was conducted, using the following keywords: “idiopathic intracranial hypertension”, “pseudotumor cerebri”, “obesity” Summary: The development of IIH appears to be multifactorial, involving impaired cerebrospinal fluid dynamics, venous outflow obstruction, and endocrine dysfunction. Obesity contributes through increased intra-abdominal and intracranial pressure, altered secretion of adipokines (such as leptin), and chronic low-grade inflammation. The review highlights the role of obesity as a modifiable risk factor and the impact of weight loss on symptom relief and disease progression. Conclusions: Understanding the link between obesity and IIH is crucial for effective prevention and treatment. Multidisciplinary care, including neurologists, ophthalmologists, and nutritionists, should focus on weight management and early detection of visual complications. Further research is needed to clarify the molecular mechanisms involved and to develop more targeted therapeutic strategies.