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[Cognitive impairment in normal pressure hydrocephalus (NPH). A proposal for clinical evaluation protocol]
B Benejam1, M A Poca, C Junqué
1Unidad de Investigación de Neurotraumatología-Neurocirugía, Institut de Recerca Vall d'Hebron, Barcelona.
Neurocirugia (Asturias, Spain)
|August 30, 2008
Summary
Normal pressure hydrocephalus (NPH) is a condition affecting gait, continence, and cognition. Neuropsychological assessment aids in diagnosing NPH and evaluating treatment effectiveness for patients undergoing cerebrospinal fluid shunt placement.
Area of Science:
- Neurology
- Neuroscience
- Neurosurgery
Context:
- Normal pressure hydrocephalus (NPH) presents with a triad of gait disturbance, urinary incontinence, and dementia, often accompanied by ventricular enlargement.
- Cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) shunt placement is the primary treatment for NPH.
- Accurate patient selection is crucial due to the invasive nature of surgery and patient characteristics.
Purpose:
- To define the cognitive deterioration profile specific to NPH patients.
- To present a comprehensive clinical, functional, and neuropsychological assessment protocol for NPH.
- To enhance diagnostic accuracy and treatment efficacy assessment in NPH.
Summary:
- This study outlines the characteristic cognitive decline in Normal pressure hydrocephalus (NPH).
- It details a clinical, functional, and neuropsychological assessment protocol designed for NPH patients.
- The protocol aims to improve diagnosis, identify patients who will benefit most from CSF shunting, and assess treatment outcomes.
Impact:
- Neuropsychological assessment can significantly improve NPH diagnosis and patient stratification for shunt surgery.
- It aids in evaluating the effectiveness of CSF shunting and identifying co-existing causes of dementia.
- Standardizing assessment protocols can lead to better patient management and outcomes in NPH.
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