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What's the latest normal pressure hydrocephalus (NPH) research?
Brain & Nervous System | Last Active: Jul 23, 2025 | Replies (37)Comment receiving replies
@awilst hello and thank you for your questions on NPH to see if other members have information they can share on the research aspect you are seeking.
You will notice that I updated the title of your post to include "research" to allow for more members to join this conversation. Member @catharbert may have some more to share with you.
In the meantime, I'd like to share the following resources in case you haven't found them already in your search:
-"The Adult Hydrocephalus Clinical Research Network (AHCRN) is a network of hospitals that conduct clinical research on hydrocephalus to improve treatment for the adult forms of hydrocephalus, including transitional patients who were diagnosed as children, those who acquire hydrocephalus as adults, and patients with normal pressure hydrocephalus."
http://www.ahcrn.org
-Sharing Mayo Clinic - Two Neurosurgeries Drive Dramatic Recovery: https://sharing.mayoclinic.org/2018/09/26/two-neurosurgeries-drive-dramatic-recovery/
Can I ask if you suffer from NPH or someone close to you?
Replies to "@awilst hello and thank you for your questions on NPH to see if other members have..."
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I have NPH and actively researched clinical trials for the E-shunt, as opposed to the VP shunt, which has been around for 70+ years. This procedure is done though the blood vessels, less invasive and quicker recovery, and the shunts are tiny. They're being done through Cerevasc and there are 14 trials going on right now. They're in the second phase of development right now.
There's different criteria to be approved for each trial. I was pretty aggressive in researching this method. I looked at Rochester, NY and California.
I ran into a couple of issues. Mainly regarding Follow up and travel costs. There's no reimbursement for travel, food, lodging, etc. Some give you a stipend. But I live in Colorado and there's no trials being done here. Costs for all the testing for pre-screening is split between your insurance and the study. You need a referral from your PCP.
I was mainly concerned with if there was a problem with the E-shunt, post-op there would be no one in CO familiar with it.
The research is very exciting, but right now the VP shunt is the gold standard. But while the E-shunt study sounds very exciting, I think it's a few years away from being adopted nationally.