NON RARE IN EUROPE: Normal pressure hydrocephalus

Normal pressure hydrocephalus (NPH) is a condition where excess cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) builds up in the brain's ventricles (fluid-filled spaces). Unlike other forms of hydrocephalus, the fluid pressure measured during a spinal tap may appear normal or only slightly elevated, which is how the condition gets its name. Despite the seemingly normal pressure, the enlarged ventricles press on surrounding brain tissue and cause a characteristic set of symptoms known as the "classic triad": difficulty walking (gait disturbance), memory and thinking problems (dementia), and loss of bladder control (urinary incontinence). NPH primarily affects older adults, typically those over 60 years of age. There are two forms of NPH. Idiopathic NPH (iNPH) has no identifiable cause and is the most common form. Secondary NPH can develop after a brain injury, bleeding in the brain, infection such as meningitis, or brain surgery. NPH is sometimes called a "treatable dementia" because surgical placement of a shunt — a thin tube that drains excess fluid from the brain to another part of the body — can significantly improve symptoms in many patients. Early diagnosis is important because the condition can mimic other neurodegenerative diseases like Alzheimer's or Parkinson's disease, and without treatment, symptoms tend to worsen over time. The treatment landscape centers on surgical shunt placement, with ongoing research into better patient selection and alternative procedures like endoscopic third ventriculostomy (ETV).

Inheritance

Sporadic

Usually appears on its own, not inherited from a parent

Age of Onset

Late onset

Begins later in life, typically after age 50

Data is compiled from FDA regulatory filings and ClinicalTrials.gov, then processed through automated extraction; event classifications and dates may occasionally be misclassified. Verify against the linked FDA filing or trial record before clinical decisions. Updated periodically.

Source: openFDA + DailyMed · NDA / BLA labels with structured indications · refreshed weekly

Source: ClinicalTrials.gov · synced daily · phases, status, and PI names normalized at ingest

Source: NPI Registry + PubMed · trial PI roles cross-referenced with ClinicalTrials.gov · ranked by match score (publications + PI activity + community signal)

Source: NORD Rare Disease Centers + NIH Undiagnosed Diseases Network (UDN) · centers verified active within last 12 months

Source: PubMed + NIH RePORTER + openFDA + clinical-journal RSS · last 30 days · disease-tagged at ingest by AI extraction with human QC

Bring these to your next appointment

• Q1.Am I a good candidate for shunt surgery, and what are the expected benefits and risks?,Would a lumbar puncture tap test help predict whether I would improve with surgery?,Could my symptoms be caused by another condition like Alzheimer's or Parkinson's disease?,What type of shunt would you recommend, and is it programmable?,How often will I need follow-up appointments after shunt placement?,What signs of shunt malfunction or infection should I watch for?,Are there physical therapy or rehabilitation programs that could help me now?

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