THE EXENATIDE A GLP-1 RECEPTORS AGONIST TREATES IIH, A BLINDING HEADACHE IN YOUNG OBESE WOMAN

The new research was designed to investigate the potential therapeutic effect of GLP-1 receptor agonists on patients with idiopathic intracranial hypertension (IIH), a condition characterized by increased intracranial pressure (ICP) with no identifiable cause. 
GLP-1 receptor agonists are already used as therapeutic agents in the treatment of diabetes, as they stimulate glucose-dependent insulin secretion and inhibit glucagon release, thereby lowering blood glucose without causing hypoglycemia. In addition, GLP-1 receptor agonists also regulate satiety (the feeling of fullness) and weight, making them useful in promoting weight loss in the setting of obesity. GLP-1 receptors are expressed in the choroid plexus, the main cerebrospinal fluid (CSF)-secreting structure in the brain. This suggests that GLP-1 receptor agonists may also regulate fluid secretion in the brain.

The IIH:Pressure trial aimed to evaluate the acute and long-term effects of GLP-1 receptor agonists on ICP in patients with IIH. Visual loss, chronic headaches, and cognitive deficits are some of the common symptoms associated with IIH, and there is currently no licensed therapy for this condition. Weight loss has been shown to be a disease-modifying factor, but it is difficult to maintain in the long term. The trial aimed to address this unmet clinical need by investigating the potential of GLP-1 receptor agonists as a targeted treatment for IIH.