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Updated: Jun 19, 2026
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Cerebrospinal Fluid MicroRNA Profiling Using Quantitative Real Time PCR
Published on: January 22, 2014
Identifying MicroRNA Biomarkers in Idiopathic Intracranial Hypertension: A Pilot Study
Lisa J Hill1,2, Ghazala Begum1, Chloe N Thomas1
1Department of Biomedical Sciences, School of Infection, Inflammation and Immunology, College of Medicine and Health, University of Birmingham, United Kingdom.
Neurology
|June 17, 2026
Summary
This study identified serum hsa-miR-16-5p as a potential biomarker for active idiopathic intracranial hypertension (IIH). This microRNA can help differentiate active IIH from other conditions and disease remission, offering a less invasive diagnostic approach.
Area of Science:
- Neuroscience
- Genomics
- Biomarker Discovery
Background:
- Idiopathic intracranial hypertension (IIH) is a condition of elevated intracranial pressure (ICP), primarily affecting women with obesity.
- Current diagnosis and monitoring of IIH often involve invasive procedures like lumbar puncture, with misdiagnosis rates up to 40%.
- There is a need for non-invasive biomarkers for accurate IIH diagnosis and management.
Purpose of the Study:
- To identify serum microRNA (miRNA) markers associated with the diagnosis and activity of IIH.
- To assess the relevance of these miRNA markers in the cerebrospinal fluid (CSF).
- To evaluate the potential of identified miRNAs as minimally invasive biomarkers for IIH.
Main Methods:
- Serum and CSF samples from the IIH-Weight Trial participants (active IIH and remission) were analyzed.
- A panel of 40 candidate miRNAs was assessed, with comparisons to obesity and migraine control groups.
- Differential expression of miRNAs was evaluated against clinical disease activity (papilledema) and metabolic profiles.
Main Results:
- Five serum miRNAs showed significantly lower expression in active IIH compared to remission.
- Serum hsa-miR-16-5p demonstrated high diagnostic performance for active IIH and differentiated it from remission, obesity, and migraine.
- Serum and CSF hsa-miR-16-5p levels correlated significantly with intracranial pressure and papilledema severity.
Conclusions:
- Serum hsa-miR-16-5p is a promising candidate biomarker for active IIH.
- This miRNA can distinguish active IIH from remission and control groups, correlating with disease activity markers.
- Further validation in larger studies is warranted to establish its role in IIH diagnosis and monitoring.
