Cognitive impairment is an increasingly recognized but poorly understood manifestation of idiopathic intracranial hypertension (IIH). Although deficits in attention, executive functioning, memory, processing speed, and reaction time have been reported, the characteristics, trajectory, and underlying mechanisms of cognitive dysfunction remain incompletely defined....
✦ The floor
Discussion
Signed responses from readers of the wire.
No actionable change for audiology practice; IIH-related cognitive impairment is primarily a neurology and neuro-ophthalmology concern, though audiologists should be aware that IIH patients may present with tinnitus and hearing changes as part of a broader syndrome.
Understanding the cognitive burden of IIH is relevant to multidisciplinary teams, including audiologists who may encounter IIH patients presenting with pulsatile tinnitus or hearing changes.
- 01IIH (raised brain pressure of unknown cause) causes deficits in attention and executive function.
- 02Conceptual framework article in Surgical Neurology International, not an empirical study.
- 03Therapeutic implications reviewed but no new clinical trial data presented.
- 04Cognitive symptoms in IIH are underrecognized and undertreated.
- 05Pulsatile tinnitus is a common symptom of IIH, creating a link to audiology practice.
Idiopathic intracranial hypertension is associated with deficits in attention and executive function.
opinionpartially supportedTherapeutic interventions targeting intracranial pressure may have implications for cognitive outcomes in IIH.
opinionunclear- PMID
- 42829573
- DOI
- 10.25259/SNI_795_2026.
- Journal
- Surgical Neurology International
- Publication type
- review
- Evidence level
- 5
- Population
- Patients with idiopathic intracranial hypertension
- Intervention
- Conceptual framework for cognitive impairment in IIH and therapeutic implications
Primary outcomes
Characterisation of cognitive deficits (attention, executive function) in IIH; Therapeutic implications for managing cognitive symptoms in IIH