Tear Fluid Biomarkers of Idiopathic Intracranial Hypertension (IIH)
Research type
Research Study
Full title
Tear Fluid Cytokines and Metabolic Proteins as Novel, Non-Invasive Biomarkers of Idiopathic Intracranial Hypertension (IIH)
IRAS ID
337599
Contact name
Suzanne Hagan
Contact email
Sponsor organisation
GCU
Duration of Study in the UK
2 years, 6 months, 1 days
Research summary
This research will use 2 short questionnaires to investigate a) visual quality of life/visual functioning questionnaire-25 (VFQ-25) and b) the headache impact test (HIT-6), in a cohort of patients with IIH (pwIIH) versus healthy controls at the Queen Elizabeth University Hospital (QEUH), Glasgow. In addition, tear fluid samples will be retrieved from all subjects by the researchers (who will undergo appropriate training), using a non-invasive procedure. Tears will be analysed for a panel of metabolic and inflammatory proteins, to determine if novel biomarkers can be identified in this patient group. A quick and simple blood test will be performed to determine blood glucose levels (glyacemic control, HbA1c) via a finger-prick test will also be undertaken.
We anticipate that this research will allow identification and quantification of several inflammatory and metabolic proteins, which may serve as potential diagnostic markers and/or therapeutic targets of Idiopathic Intracranial Hypertension (IIH). This should also lead to increased understanding of the biological inflammatory processes underpinning this condition.REC name
London - Camberwell St Giles Research Ethics Committee
REC reference
24/PR/0240
Date of REC Opinion
28 Mar 2024
REC opinion
Further Information Unfavourable Opinion