Antisecretory factor (AF) exerts no effects on intracranial pressure (ICP) waves and ICP in patients with idiopathic normal pressure hydrocephalus and idiopathic intracranial hypertension

J Neurol Sci. 2014 Aug 15;343(1-2):132-7. doi: 10.1016/j.jns.2014.05.054. Epub 2014 Jun 2.

Abstract

Background: Antisecretory factor (AF) and derivates thereof counteract brain edema and inflammation, and normalize ICP dynamics. The aim of the present study was to assess whether AF normalized the abnormal ICP waves, indicative of impaired intracranial compliance, seen in patients with idiopathic normal pressure hydrocephalus (iNPH) and idiopathic intracranial hypertension (IIH). The hypothesis was that brain swelling contributes to the abnormal ICP waves.

Methods: The study enrolled patients undergoing diagnostic ICP wave monitoring for either iNPH or IIH. The ICP waves and ICP were recorded continuously before and after oral administration of Salovum® (0.5 g/kg body weight/day divided by three doses), a freeze-dried egg yolk enriched in AF activity. Mean ICP wave amplitude (MWA), mean ICP wave rise time coefficient (MWRTC), and mean ICP were compared before and after Salovum® administration.

Results: A total of 10 iNPH patients and 8 IIH patients were included. No significant changes in the ICP wave indices or ICP were seen after Salovum® administration. Neither any significant time-dependent effect was observed.

Conclusion: The lack of effect of Salovum® on ICP wave indices and ICP in iNPH and IIH may provide indirect evidence that brain swelling does not play a crucial role in the ICP wave indices or ICP of these conditions.

Keywords: Antisecretory factor; Brain edema; Idiopathic intracranial hypertension; Idiopathic normal pressure hydrocephalus; Intracranial compliance; Intracranial pressure waves.

MeSH terms

  • Adolescent
  • Adult
  • Aged
  • Antidiarrheals / therapeutic use*
  • Brain Edema / drug therapy
  • Cohort Studies
  • Female
  • Humans
  • Hydrocephalus, Normal Pressure / drug therapy*
  • Intracranial Pressure / drug effects*
  • Male
  • Middle Aged
  • Neuropeptides / therapeutic use*
  • Pseudotumor Cerebri
  • Young Adult

Substances

  • Antidiarrheals
  • Neuropeptides
  • antisecretory factor