Our Story
Established in 2001 by Emanuel Tanne, M.D. and Amy Lois Tanne
The Intracranial Hypertension Research Foundation (IHRF) was established in 2001 by Emanuel Tanne, M.D. and Amy Lois Tanne, after their daughter was diagnosed with chronic IH. Like many families, the Tannes learned through personal experience that chronic IH is often misdiagnosed, mismanaged and misunderstood. They also learned that very little money was available for research.
Today, IHRF is the only non-profit organization in the world devoted to supporting the medical research of chronic intracranial hypertension. Our mission is to discover why intracranial hypertension happens, along with new, effective therapies to treat the disorder. Our ultimate goal is to find a cure.
The Foundation also serves as an educational resource for patients, their families and medical professionals. We provide accurate, basic information about chronic idiopathic and secondary intracranial hypertension, as well as the latest news on current research projects, clinical trial opportunities, IHRF-sponsored conferences, and the Intracranial Hypertension Patient Registry at Oregon Health & Science University, the first and only patient registry for chronic IH in the world.
Our commitment to research remains central to our work. One of our most important objectives is the creation of a multi-specialty, comprehensive care and research center for chronic IH, where laboratory science can be converted into actual treatment for patients in one place.
Finding the answers that will help every person with chronic IH is essential. Such research may also lead to medical advances in other fields. An improved understanding of the role that intracranial hypertension plays in so many common diseases and disorders—from stroke and traumatic brain injury to kidney failure and sleep apnea—could potentially benefit millions of people.
The Intracranial Hypertension Research Foundation is a tax-exempt 501(c)(3), non-profit public charitable organization, administered by a volunteer Board of Directors and supported by a volunteer team of distinguished Scientific Advisors.