Is Normal Pressure Hydrocephalus Associated with Alzheimer Disease?

Patients diagnosed with normal pressure hydrocephalus (NPH) often have improvements in cognitive changes, urinary incontinence, and gait difficulties after a large-volume lumbar puncture (LP). Biomarkers in cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) obtained during these lumbar punctures can be used to determine whether an underlying Alzheimer disease (AD) process may be present. In this study, researchers analyzed 62 consecutive participants with clinical features and MRI brain findings suggestive NPH and hypothesized that those with CSF biomarkers consistent with AD would not improve after lumbar puncture, whereas those without AD biomarkers would improve. Cognitive and gait assessments were performed within 24 to 48 hours of 40 to 50 mL CSF removal. CSF …