Normal Pressure Hydrocephalus

Normal pressure hydrocephalus (NPH) is a brain disorder that occurs when the flow of cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) is blocked. The fluid fills up in the brain, pushing on brain tissue, and resulting in the loss of brain function in the area affected. NPH can be a reversible or treatable disorder thought to account for about 5% of all dementias. The symptoms often begin gradually and can occur without identifiable cause. Risk factors include disorders that may cause obstruction of the flow of CSF such as closed head injury, surgery on the brain, meningitis-type infections, and bleeding from a blood vessel or aneurysm in the brain.

Symptoms can include unsteady walking, weakness of the legs, sudden fall without loss of consciousness, dementia, apathy, impaired memory, incontinence and speech impairment. The surgical creation of a shunt that routes the fluid around the obstruction and back into the circulation is the treatment of choice. Surgical treatment improves symptoms in about 50% of cases, with the best outcome for those with minimal symptoms.

To schedule an appointment with one of our physicians or to learn more about our NPH program, call our NPH Care Coordinator at (407) 303-3282 or contact us online.