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Using Cerebrospinal Fluid Dynamics to Optimize Treatment of Idiopathic Normal Pressure Hydrocephalus

Not Applicable
Terminated
Conditions
Hydrocephalus, Normal Pressure
Interventions
Other: Simulated change in shunt opening pressure
Other: Change in shunt opening pressure
Registration Number
NCT03076723
Lead Sponsor
Umeå University
Brief Summary

The purpose of the study is to determine if the so called pulsatility curve, which describes the relationship between intracranial pressure (ICP) and ICP pulsatility, can be used to predict outcome of treatment, in the form of shunt surgery, in idiopathic normal pressure hydrocephalus (INPH) and to guide the adjustment of shunt opening pressure after the surgery. The main hypotheses of the study are:

1. The pulsatility curve may be the best auxiliary test to predict shunt surgery outcome in INPH patients. With a "fixed" shunt opening pressure, the preoperatively assessed potential pulse amplitude reduction (determined by analysis of the pulsatility curve) predicts postoperative improvement in gait velocity and cognitive functions.

2. A postoperative pulsatility curve can be used to further optimize ICP pulsatility by guiding opening pressure adjustment. Shunt adjustment based on the pulsatility curve three months postoperatively will increase improvement, but not complications, compared to a shunt with "fixed" opening pressure.

Based on these hypotheses, three specific aims for the study have been defined:

1. To determine if improvement three month after surgery is associated with postoperative reduction in pulse amplitude.

2. To determine if a pulsatility curve obtained preoperatively can predict improvement in gait velocity and cognitive functions in INPH patients three months after surgery.

3. To compare outcome six months after surgery and complications rates between INPH patients with a "fixed" opening pressure versus those where the shunt has been adjusted based on the pulsatility curve, three months after the shunt insertion.

Detailed Description

Not available

Recruitment & Eligibility

Status
TERMINATED
Sex
All
Target Recruitment
43
Inclusion Criteria
  • Possible or probable INPH according to the INPH guidelines.

  • Symptom duration ≥ 3 months

  • Age ≥50 years

  • Able to walk 10 meters with or without an assistant device.

  • Decision to recommend shunt surgery based either on:

    • Improvement after cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) tap (i.e. positive tap test), or;
    • Increased CSF outflow resistance, or;
    • A combination of "typical" signs/symptoms + "typical" MRI findings;
    • A combination of a-c.
Exclusion Criteria
  • NPH due to hemorrhage, meningitis or stroke (secondary NPH).
  • Symptom duration ≥ 5 years.
  • Patients considered surgical risk.
  • Baseline gait velocity >1.1 m/sec (60 m/min) without assistant device
  • Mini Mental State Exam score ≤ 20 points.
  • Musculoskeletal condition precluding gait assessment.
  • Severe hearing or visual impairment
  • Medication in the form of warfarin or novel oral anticoagulant (NOAC)
  • Insufficient pressure data below resting pressure during the CSF infusion investigation, i.e. no complete assessment of the pulsatility curve

Study & Design

Study Type
INTERVENTIONAL
Study Design
PARALLEL
Arm && Interventions
GroupInterventionDescription
Fixed opening pressureSimulated change in shunt opening pressureThe shunt opening pressure is changed to the same setting as at surgery.
Individual shunt opening pressureChange in shunt opening pressureThe shunt opening pressure is adjusted (up one step, down one step or unchanged) according to an individual analysis of the pulsatility curve (as assessed after shunt surgery).
Primary Outcome Measures
NameTimeMethod
European INPH scalebaseline (before surgery) and 3 months after surgery

Change in total score on scale describing the cardinal symptoms of INPH

Change in total score on European INPH scale3 and 6 months after surgery

scale describing the cardinal symptoms of INPH

Gait velocitybaseline (before surgery) and 3 months after surgery

Maximal gait velocity (3 x 10 m)

Secondary Outcome Measures
NameTimeMethod
Computerized General Neuropsychological INPH Test (CoGNIT)baseline (before surgery) and 3 months after surgery

A computerized neuropsychological test battery for use in INPH, which produces a total "neuropsychological" score

Timed up and go testbaseline (before surgery) and 3 months after surgery

Mobility test: rise from chair, walk 3 m, turn around, walk back and sit down again

Urogenital Distress Inventory (UDI-6)baseline (before surgery) and 3 months after surgery

Continence assessment scale

Mini-mental state examination (MMSE) scorebaseline (before surgery) and 3 months after surgery

Score on the MMSE scale (general mental status)

Incontinence Impact Questionnaire, Short Form (IIQ-7)baseline (before surgery) and 3 months after surgery

Continence assessment scale

Barthel Indexbaseline (before surgery) and 3 months after surgery

Activities of daily living assessment scale

Modified Rankin scalebaseline (before surgery) and 3 months after surgery

Disability assessment scale

Geriatric depression scale (GDS-15)baseline (before surgery) and 3 months after surgery

Score on a geriatric depression scale consisting of 15 yes/no questions

EuroQoL's (EQ) standardized 5 dimensions (5D) 5 levels (5L) instrument (EQ-5D-5L™)baseline (before surgery) and 3 months after surgery

EuroQoL's standardized instrument for health outcome, which assesses health in 5 dimensions, on 5 levels

Trial Locations

Locations (5)

Turku university hospital

🇫🇮

Turku, Finland

Kuopio university hospital

🇫🇮

Kuopio, Finland

Umeå university hospital

🇸🇪

Umeå, Sweden

Sahlgrenska university hospital

🇸🇪

Gothenburg, Sweden

The Uppsala university hospital

🇸🇪

Uppsala, Sweden

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