About Normal Pressure Hydrocephalus
What Is Normal Pressure Hydrocephalus (NPH)?
Normal Pressure Hydrocephalus (NPH) is an accumulation of cerebrospinal fluid that causes the ventricles in the brain to become enlarged, sometimes with little or no increase in intracranial pressure (ICP).
How Is NPH Different from Alzheimer's or Parkinson's?
NPH can look a lot like other conditions that affect older adults, including dementia, Alzheimer’s and Parkinson’s. The Hydrocephalus Association estimates that up to 800,000 Americans may have NPH, with more than 80% of cases going unrecognized or untreated.
However, the feeling of feet glued to the floor, or difficulty walking is the first symptom to appear, in NPH. And it’s different from, for example, Parkinson’s tremors. In Alzheimer’s, memory loss and confusion tend to be early symptoms, whereas in NPH these may appear later. Fortunately, once NPH is confirmed, chances are it can be treated.
More About Hydrocephalus
Hydrocephalus is an abnormal (excessive) accumulation of fluid in the head. The fluid is called cerebrospinal fluid, commonly referred to as CSF. The CSF is located and produced within cavities of the brain called ventricles. The function of CSF is to cushion the delicate brain and spinal cord tissue from injuries and maintain proper balance of nutrients around the central nervous system.
Normally, the bloodstream absorbs most of the CSF produced on a daily basis. Every day, your body produces a certain amount of CSF, and that same amount of CSF is absorbed in the brain.
When an imbalance occurs, an excess of CSF fluid builds up, resulting in the condition known as hydrocephalus. Left untreated, hydrocephalus can create increased pressure in the head and may result in increased symptoms or brain damage.
