Study Examines Treatment for Normal Pressure Hydrocephalus

Albany Medical Center is participating in a pivotal clinical trial of the first minimally invasive option to treat normal pressure hydrocephalus (NPH), a progressive, potentially life-threatening disorder affecting an estimated 800,000 adults in the U.S., most of them over 65.

NPH is caused by a buildup of cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) resulting in increased pressure on the brain. Hallmark symptoms of NPH include gait disturbance, cognitive dysfunction, and urinary incontinence or urgency. In the later stages, it is often mistaken for Alzheimer’s disease.

The prospective, multicenter, randomized controlled STRIDE Pivotal Study will evaluate the safety and efficacy of the eShunt ® System by CereVasc, Inc., designed to reduce NPH symptoms by relieving the pressure caused by the excess fluid around the brain.

“NPH is traditionally treated surgically through a hole in the skull. While this treatment is effective, any surgery carries risks and distress for patients,” said Alexandra Paul, MD, associate professor of neurosurgery at Albany Medical Center, and lead investigator of the trial. “We’re proud to participate in this study that has the potential to revolutionize NPH treatment and help more patients recover their quality of life.”

CereVasc’s technology includes a permanent shunt that is implanted at the base of the skull. Excess fluid is drained through the shunt and reabsorbed naturally by the body.

The shunt is placed into the body in a minimally invasive process. It is placed via the femoral vein near the groin and then fed through the vein to the brain. This has the potential to avoid common surgery-related complications.

Albany Medical Center has enrolled six patients in the study to date.

For more information on the study, call Albany Medical Center’s Department of Neurosurgery at 518-262-5088.

The eShunt Device is an investigational device and has not been approved by the FDA or any other regulatory agency for commercial sale. Its safety and effectiveness have not yet been fully established.