Endoscopic opening plus choroid plexus treatment for childhood hydrocephalus
Experimental Studies of Endoscopic Third Ventriculostomy and Choroid Plexus Cauterization in Hydrocephalus
This research explores whether combining an endoscopic third ventriculostomy with choroid plexus cauterization can help infants and young children with hydrocephalus avoid lifelong shunt surgery.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Virginia Commonwealth University NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Richmond, United States) |
| Project ID | NIH-11189757 on NIH RePORTER |
What this research studies
From a patient perspective, the team is using a large-animal model (juvenile pigs) to mimic childhood hydrocephalus and to compare the effects of endoscopic third ventriculostomy (ETV) alone versus ETV plus choroid plexus cauterization (CPC). They will perform the surgical procedures in a clinically relevant way and measure brain physiology and development afterwards. The goal is to learn whether removing or cauterizing the choroid plexus changes brain growth, neurogenesis, or other homeostatic functions. Results will help explain conflicting clinical outcomes and guide safer use of ETV-CPC in infants.
Who could benefit from this research
Good fit: The findings would be most relevant to infants and young children with hydrocephalus, especially those with obstructive forms where ETV or ETV-CPC are considered.
Not a fit: Adults with other types of hydrocephalus or patients with complex medical conditions unrelated to choroid plexus-driven fluid dynamics may not benefit from these findings.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this work could lead to safer alternatives to shunts that reduce lifelong surgical complications for infants with hydrocephalus.
How similar studies have performed: Clinical reports and smaller studies have shown mixed results for ETV-CPC in infants, and long-term effects on brain development remain unclear.
Where this research is happening
Richmond, United States
- Virginia Commonwealth University — Richmond, United States (Active)
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Mcallister, James Patterson — Virginia Commonwealth University
- Study coordinator: Mcallister, James Patterson
About this research
- This is an active NIH-funded research project — typically early-stage science, not a clinical trial accepting patient enrollment.
- Some NIH-funded labs run parallel clinical studies or seek volunteers for related work. To check, contact the principal investigator or institution listed above.
- For full project details, budget, and progress reports, visit the official NIH RePORTER page below.