Medical Technology Blog

Topic: Neuro: Medical Word of the Day: Hydrocephalus

This is a word that is near and dear to our hearts at Ubiquity. My business partner’s newphew has hydrocephalus. We actively support an orginization based near Seattle, Washington: The Hydrocephalus Research Guild. This is a special interest guild of Seattle Children’s Guild Association, Seattle, WA. HRG seeks to fund research at Seattle Children’s to find better hydrocephalus.  We need to find better treatment for hydrocephalus.

Hydrocephalus has been described as a ticking time bomb by those who suffer from it. There is no cure and very little research being conducted for a cure. Hydrocephalus is the number one reason for brain surgery in children in the U.S. The most significant treatment, a shunt, was developed in 1952 with little innovation since then.

What is Hydrocephalus:
Hydrocephalus is an abnormal buildup of cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) in the ventricles of the brain. The fluid is often under increased pressure and can compress and damage the brain.

Hydrocephalus can arise before birth or any time afterward. It may be due to many causes including a birth defect, hemorrhage into the brain, infection, meningitis, tumor, or head injury. Most forms of hydrocephalus are the result of obstructed CSF flow in the ventricular system. With physical obstruction of CSF flow in the ventricular system is usually the cause of the hydrocephalus. Hydrocephalus is a common companion of spina bifida (meningomyelocele).

What is termed “hydrocephalus ex-vacuo” occurs when there is damage to the brain caused by stroke or injury, and there may be an actual shrinkage of brain substance. “Hydrocephalus ex-vacuo” is essentially only hydrocephalus by default; the CSF pressure itself is normal.

Normal pressure hydrocephalus (NPH) can also occur due to a gradual blockage of the CSF drainage pathways in the brain. Although the ventricles enlarge, the pressure of the CSF remains within normal range. NPH is characterized by memory loss dementia, gait disorder, urinary incontinence and a general slowing of activity.

Left Image: Hydrocephalus brain scan image.   Right Image:  Normal Scan.  The dark space is the extra fluid in the brain which is actually cerebrospinal fluid.

click to enlarge

Learn more about hydrocephalus at HRG.

What can you do to help? You can support HRG in many ways. Support HRG

1. Become a corporate sponsor.
2. Donate an auction item.
3. Make a tax-deductible contribution.
4. Buy tickets to the event.
5. Volunteer for the event.
6. Become a member of the HRG.

Greg Olson :: Ubiquity :: 303-962-8700 :: greg@ubiquitygroup.com :: Follow on Twitter:: @ubiquity
Ubiquity specializes in generating demand for life science companies.We help bioscience and med tech companies create a better human health experience by driving investor interest, awareness and product desire.