Magnetoencephalography and normal pressure hydrocephalus: A case report.

Area of Science:

• Neurology
• Biophysics

Background:

• Normal pressure hydrocephalus (NPH) presents with characteristic triad of gait instability, dementia, and urinary incontinence.
• Accurate diagnosis and patient selection for surgical intervention, such as ventriculoperitoneal (VP) shunt placement, are crucial for optimal outcomes.

Purpose of the Study:

• To investigate the utility of resting-state magnetoencephalography (MEG) in differentiating NPH from brain atrophy.
• To assess the potential of MEG as a non-invasive tool for selecting NPH patients for shunt surgery.

Main Methods:

• Resting-state MEG data were acquired from an 82-year-old male diagnosed with NPH.
• MEG recordings were analyzed for magnetic field patterns.
• Presurgical CT scans were used to assess ventricular size, particularly frontal horns.
• The patient underwent VP shunt placement, with subsequent symptom improvement.

Main Results:

• MEG revealed lower magnetic fields in frontal and frontotemporal regions compared to central and posterior regions in the NPH patient.
• This pattern correlated with significant ventricular distention observed on CT.
• The observed MEG pattern in NPH differs from the generalized low magnetic field distribution seen in brain atrophy.
• MEG may be sensitive to activity originating in sulci, potentially explaining differences between NPH and atrophy.

Conclusions:

• MEG may serve as a valuable non-invasive tool to differentiate NPH from brain atrophy.
• MEG could aid in the selection of NPH patients eligible for shunt surgery.
• Further research with larger patient cohorts is warranted to confirm these findings.