scholarly journals Steroid Hormones and Homocysteine in the Outcome of Patients With Normal Pressure Hydrocephalus

2015 ◽  
pp. S227-S236 ◽  
Author(s):  
L. SOSVOROVA ◽  
M. MOHAPL ◽  
M. HILL ◽  
L. STARKA ◽  
M. BICIKOVA ◽  
...  

Normal pressure hydrocephalus (NPH) is one of a few treatable conditions of cognitive decline affecting predominately elderly people. Treatment, commonly based on the ventriculoperitoneal shunt insertion, leads to a partial or complete correction of patient's state, although its effect does not unfortunately always last. The aim of our study was to observe the changes of homocysteine and selected steroids and neurosteroids and follow-up the patients with respect to the duration of the NPH-related dementia improvement. The cerebrospinal fluid and plasma levels of cortisol, cortisone, dehydroepiandrosterone (DHEA), 7α-hydroxy-DHEA, 7β-hydroxy-DHEA, 7-oxo-DHEA, 16α-hydroxy-DHEA (all LC-MS/MS), DHEA-sulphate (DHEAS) (radioimmunoassay) and homocysteine (gas chromatography) were determined in NPH-diagnosed subjects before, during and 6, 12 and 24 months after shunt insertion. The cognitive functions ameliorated after shunt insertion and remain improved within 2 years. Changes in cerebrospinal fluid DHEAS, DHEA and its ratio, cortisone/cortisol and 16α-hydroxy-DHEA and plasma DHEAS, 7β-hydroxy-DHEA, cortisone/cortisol and homocysteine were found. Mentioned changes may contribute to the clarification of NPH pathogenesis. Altered neurosteroids levels are possible indicators to be utilized in the follow-up of NPH subjects. Moreover, plasma homocysteine may serve as an early indicator of NPH-related dementia.


2015 ◽  
pp. S283-S290 ◽  
Author(s):  
L. SOSVOROVA ◽  
M. MOHAPL ◽  
J. VCELAK ◽  
M. HILL ◽  
J. VITKU ◽  
...  

Cytokines are widely known mediators of inflammation accompanying many neurodegenerative disorders including normal pressure hydrocephalus (NPH). NPH is caused by impaired cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) reabsorption and treated by surgical shunt insertion. The diagnostics is still complicated and the shunt effect is not durable; after several years, dementia may develop. In the clinical practice, biomarkers support the diagnostics as well as the further time course of many neurodegenerative diseases. Until recently, no reliable biomarker for NPH was evaluated. The attempt of this review was to make a survey concerning cytokines as possible NPH markers. Among all reviewed cytokines, the most promising are CSF IL-10 and IL-33, enabling to follow-up the disease progression and monitoring the effectiveness of the shunt insertion.



2020 ◽  
Vol 1 (1) ◽  
pp. 81-86
Author(s):  
Mario Emiliano Ricciardi ◽  
Ismael Calandri ◽  
Lucas Alessandro ◽  
Mauricio Farez ◽  
Juan Villalonga ◽  
...  

Introduction: The indication of a ventriculoperitoneal shunt (VPS) is discussed in patients with idiopathic normal pressure hydrocephalus (iNPH), due to the heterogeneity of the response to treatment and the risks involved in neurosurgery. Objective: To search for clinical factors and complementary studies in order to determine predictors of a favorable response to the VPS placement in patients with iNPH. Methodology: A retrospective study of patients with probable iNPH (according to international guidelines) treated with VPS assisted in a neurological clinic from January 2014 to January 2017 was conducted. A univariate statisticalanalysis of the variables considered as possible prognostic factors was performed. Results: 58 patients were included. Women presented 3.68 times more chances of improvement after the VPS (p=0.019). Good response to the gait test was associated with better response to the VPS (p=0.024). Conclusions: Female sex and good response to the gait test could be considered as predictors of a favorable response to the VPS placement in patients with iNPH. A prospective study is necessary to achieve a homogeneous diagnostic evaluation and a more extensive longitudinal follow-up to evaluate the clinical evolution in this group of patients.



Neurosurgery ◽  
2007 ◽  
Vol 60 (2) ◽  
pp. 327-332 ◽  
Author(s):  
Babar Kahlon ◽  
Johan Sjunnesson ◽  
Stig Rehncrona

Abstract OBJECTIVE To evaluate the outcome of patients with suspected normal pressure hydrocephalus at 6 months and 5 years after shunt surgery. METHODS Seventy-five patients (mean age, 72.5 6 9 yr), with normal pressure hydrocephalus symptoms were included. Fifty-four patients with positive lumbar infusion and/or cerebrospinal fluid tap tests received a cerebrospinal fluid shunt, whereas 21 patients with negative test results did not undergo operation. Walk, reaction time, memory, and identical forms tests were used as baseline (before surgery) tests and were repeated at short- (6.1 6 4.6 mo) and long-term (5.5 6 1.4 yr) follow-up evaluations. Activities of daily life functions were assessed using the Barthel index. RESULTS At the 6-month follow-up examination, 83% of the operated patients improved in gait, 65% improved in reaction time, 46% improved in memory, and 31% improved in identical forms tests; 96% found themselves subjectively improved. Because of unrelated mortality (37%) and declining general health from comorbidity, only 27 patients were available for the 5-year follow-up evaluation. Twenty-three of these patients had been treated with a shunt and had a remaining improvement in close to 40% in gait and reaction time, whereas fewer than 10% had an improvement in cognitive tests. Fifty-six percent reported subjective improvement compared with preoperative findings. More patients (64%) improved if younger than 75 years; for patients older than 75 years, only 11% of the patients improved. The Barthel index was higher (P < 0.05) in improved patients. CONCLUSION Patients with normal pressure hydrocephalus benefit from shunt surgery for at least 5 years. High mortality rate, comorbidity, and old age hamper good long-term outcome and emphasize the importance of patient selection.





2007 ◽  
Vol 18 (3) ◽  
pp. 149-158 ◽  
Author(s):  
Priyanka Chaudhry ◽  
Siddharth Kharkar ◽  
Jennifer Heidler-Gary ◽  
Argye E. Hillis ◽  
Melissa Newhart ◽  
...  

Studies of the cognitive outcome after shunt insertion for treatment of Normal Pressure Hydrocephalus have reported widely mixed results. We prospectively studied performance of 60 patients with Normal Pressure Hydrocephalus on a comprehensive battery of neuropsychological tests before and after shunt surgery to determine which cognitive functions improve with shunt insertion. We also administered a subset of cognitive tests before and after temporary controlled drainage of cerebrospinal fluid to determine if change on this brief subset of tests after drainage could predict which patients would show cognitive improvement three to six months after shunt insertion. There was a significant improvement in learning, retention, and delayed recall of verbal memory three to six months after surgery (using paired t-tests). The majority (74%) of patients showed significant improvement (by at least one standard deviation) on at least one of the memory tests. Absence of improvement on verbal memory after temporary drainage of cerebrospinal fluid had a high negative predictive value for improvement on memory tests at 3–6 months after surgery (96%;p= 0.0005). Also, the magnitude of improvement from Baseline to Post-Drainage on few specific tests of learning and recall significantly predicted the magnitude of improvement after shunt surgery on the same tests (r2= 0.32–0.58;p= 0.04–0.001). Results indicate that testing before and after temporary drainage may be useful in predicting which patients are less likely to improve in memory with shunting.



Neurosurgery ◽  
2019 ◽  
Author(s):  
Hanna Israelsson ◽  
Anders Eklund ◽  
Jan Malm

Abstract BACKGROUND The short- and long-term impact of cerebrospinal fluid shunting on quality of life (QoL) in idiopathic normal pressure hydrocephalus (INPH) is poorly understood. OBJECTIVE To investigate QoL in shunted INPH patients compared to the population and to investigate which factors influence QoL in INPH. METHODS INPH patients consecutively shunted in Sweden during 2008-2010 were scrutinized. Population-based controls were age- and sex-matched to the patients. Included participants were the following: 176 INPH patients and 368 controls. QoL was assessed using the EuroQol 5-dimension 5-level (EQ5D5L) instrument, which measures overall QoL and health status in 5 dimensions. Independency (accommodation and/or need for in-home care) and comorbidities were assessed. Patients were followed up 6-45 mo after surgery (mean follow-up time: 21 mo). RESULTS Shunting improved QoL (P < .001) and health status in all dimensions (P < .005). Shunted INPH patients had lower QoL than controls (P < .001). The patients’ health status in mobility, self-care, daily activities, and anxiety/depression was worse than the controls both before and after surgery (P < .001). The main predictors of low QoL in INPH were symptoms of depression (P < .001) and severity of gait disturbance (P = .001). Fewer INPH patients than controls lived independently (45% vs 85%, P < .001). Time after shunting had no influence on QoL. CONCLUSION QoL remains improved in shunted INPH patients at a mean follow-up time of 21 mo, but the patients do not reach the same QoL as the population. Symptoms of depression and severity of gait disturbance are the strongest predictors of low QoL in INPH.



2017 ◽  
Vol 31 (4) ◽  
pp. 490-494
Author(s):  
Tsukasa Kawase ◽  
Kyosuke Miyatani ◽  
Riki Tanaka ◽  
Yasuhiro Yamada ◽  
Shamim Ul Haq Siddiqui ◽  
...  

Abstract Objective: A retrospective study was conducted to access the long-term prognosis of inserting the Ventriculoatrial (VA) shunt in the elderly for the idiopathic normal pressure hydrocephalus (iNPH). Material and Methods: Retrospective data is collected from April 2004 to August 2015, and 1065 patients were selected. Patients who underwent surgical examination or surgery in suspected iNPH were included. Tap test is done in all cases and found to be effective for 968 cases and 656 VA shunts for 614 cases. Out of 614 cases there are 440 cases in which patient age were over 75 years. Of these 440 cases only 141 cases were able to observe 03 years or more after the surgery, 37 deaths and 05 cases with survival and unknown prognosis were found among them. So we analyzed this group mainly in 99 cases that the prognosis after 03 years was known. We access the outcome of VA shunt by the modified Rankin scale (mRS), iNPH grading scale (iNPHGS) and complications in the operative 656 cases and in 03 years follow up of 141 patients. Results: Of 141, there are 78 males and 63 females. Age at the time of VA shunt insertion was 81.5±4.1 years and age at final follow-up was 85.2±4.4 years. The proportion of patients who achieved a favorable outcome by complications was 97.9% in 03 years follow-up period and 87.7% in which follow-up is less than 03 years. At the time of VA shunt insertion out of 141, 57 patients lies between 75-79 years, 57 between 80-84, 24 between 85 to 89, and only 03 were found to be 90 years or more. At the time of final follow-up at 03 years, 15 patients lies between 75 to 79 years, 56 between 80 to 84 years, 57 between 85 to 89 years and 23 patents were found to be 90 years or greater. 70 cases or almost 50% exceeded 85 years. At the time of VA shunt 1, 11, 39, 51, 36, 3, 0 patients were in 0 to 6 modified Rankin Scale Score respectively and at 03 years follow-up 8, 19, 32, 29, 9, 2, 37 were in 0 to 6 mRS respectively. Comparison of the study is done with SIPHONI study on VP shunt and LP shunt. Conclusion: Patients suspected of having idiopathic normal pressure hydrocephalus were treated by VA shunt and found no significant difference in serious adverse effects. This study shows that VA shunt is an effective choice for iNPH in the late elderly population, but it needs more randomized control trial to establish its efficacy.



2011 ◽  
Vol 68 (suppl_2) ◽  
pp. ons245-ons249 ◽  
Author(s):  
Ahmed K. Toma ◽  
Andrew Tarnaris ◽  
Neil D. Kitchen ◽  
Laurence D. Watkins

Abstract Background: Overdrainage is a common complication associated with shunt insertion in normal-pressure hydrocephalus (NPH) patients. Using adjustable valves with antigravity devices has been shown to reduce its incidence. The optimal starting setting of an adjustable shunt valve in NPH is debatable. Objective: To audit our single-center practice of setting adjustable valves. Methods: We performed a retrospective review of clinical records of all NPH patients treated in our unit between 2006 and 2009 by the insertion of shunts with a proGAV valve, recording demographic and clinical data, shunt complications, and revision rates. Radiological reports of postoperative follow-up computed tomography scans of the brain were reviewed for detected subdural hematomas. Results: A proGAV adjustable valve was inserted in 50 probable NPH patients between July 2006 and November 2009. Mean ± SD age was 76 ± 7 years. Mean follow-up was 15 months. The initial shunt setting was 6 ± 3 cm H2O, and the final setting was 4.9 ± 1.9 cm H2O. Nineteen patients required 24 readjustment procedures (readjustment rate, 38%; readjustment number, 0.48 times per patient). One patient (2%) developed delayed bilateral subdural hematoma after readjustment of his shunt valve setting as an outpatient. Conclusion: Starting with a low opening pressure setting on a proGAV adjustable shunt valve does not increase the chances of overdrainage complications and reduces the need for repeated readjustments.



Neurosurgery ◽  
2006 ◽  
Vol 58 (4) ◽  
pp. E796-E796 ◽  
Author(s):  
Maxime Delavallée ◽  
Christian Raftopoulos

Abstract OBJECTIVE AND IMPORTANCE: Myotonic dystrophy (MD) is the most common adult muscular dystrophy involving multiple organs. Normal pressure hydrocephalus (NPH) is characterized by gait apraxia, urinary incontinence, and dementia. NPH in association with MD has been reported in only three cases. This report provides for the first time the complete evaluation, treatment, and long-term follow-up of a patient with NPH and MD. CLINICAL PRESENTATION: A 61-year-old man known to have MD complained of 4 years of progressive deterioration of long-term memory and gait disturbance, which was the main clinical feature. Computed tomography scan and magnetic resonance imaging showed ventricular enlargement. Intracranial pressure monitoring showed B waves with amplitude superior to 9 mm Hg in more than 5% of the recording. TECHNIQUE: We performed a ventriculoperitoneal shunt with clear postoperative improvement, confirming the diagnosis of NPH. The clinical improvement has remained stable through prolonged follow-up. CONCLUSION: Association between MD and NPH could be more than coincidental, and it is important to recognize this potential insidious association because a ventriculoperitoneal shunt can provide excellent long-term clinical improvement.



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