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White Matter Distortion and Dementia Biomarkers in Normal Pressure Hydrocephalus (NPH)
Sponsor: Imperial College London
Summary
Idiopathic Normal Pressure Hydrocephalus (iNPH) is a progressive condition of the elderly that results in severe disability. iNPH can dramatically respond to Cerebral spinal fluid(CSF)-shunting where excess ventricular fluid is diverted from the brain. Not all patients with iNPH respond to CSF-shunting however. The reasons for this are uncertain. Aim 1: To understand if specific nerve pathways (white matter tracts) that are near ventricles are damaged in patients that respond to shunting as opposed to those that do not. Aim 2: Can we explain shunt non-responsiveness by screening for dementia like illnesses (neurodegeneration) using a large array of methods. Aim 3: To understand whether wearable activity and bed sleep monitors are palatable in a NPH population and to understand if these metrics relate to quality of life. Aim 4: To see whether self-administered digital cognitive assessments can measure improvements pre and post surgery.
Official title: Observational Study to Investigate the Effect of White Matter Tract Distortion and Neurodegenerative Biomarkers on Shunt-responsiveness in Idiopathic Normal Pressure Hydrocephalus (iNPH)
Key Details
Gender
All
Age Range
60 Years - Any
Study Type
OBSERVATIONAL
Enrollment
100
Start Date
2025-03-25
Completion Date
2029-02
Last Updated
2026-03-27
Healthy Volunteers
Yes
Conditions
Interventions
Ventriculoperitoneal Shunt (VP)
VP Shunt surgery involves surgical insertion of a catheter (tube) to divert brain fluid from the cerebral ventricles to the abdominal peritoneum. This will be performed in Group 1 patients as clinically indicated.
Brain and Skin Biopsy
Brain and skin biopsy's may be taken during the VP shunt to assist in histological analysis for neurodegenerative changes.
MRI Brain
MRI brain with diffusion imagining will be performed before and after shunt surgery.
Locations (1)
Imperial College Healthcare NHS Trust
London, United Kingdom