How ETV and CPC Work for Hydrocephalus in Children
Official title: Experimental Studies of Endoscopic Third Ventriculostomy and Choroid Plexus Cauterization in Hydrocephalus
Funded at Virginia Commonwealth University · NIH-11387677 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This NIH grant explores a surgical approach for young children with hydrocephalus to see if combining ETV with CPC can reduce reliance on shunts.
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 start | September 27, 2022 |
| Project end | August 31, 2027 |
| Funding year | 2026 |
| Award (this year) | $573,144 |
| NIH project number | 5R01NS130103-05 |
| Project ID | NIH-11387677 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Children with hydrocephalus who might be candidates for ETV/CPC or related surgical approaches in the future.
✕Less likely to help
Patients with hydrocephalus for whom shunting remains the best established option or where surgery is not feasible.
What this research studies
The project uses a large animal model that mirrors pediatric brain development to study how endoscopic third ventriculostomy (ETV) and choroid plexus cauterization (CPC) affect brain growth and hydrocephalus. Researchers aim to understand the brain-wide effects and safety of ablating the choroid plexus, a key player in brain development, in the context of treating hydrocephalus. Findings could guide future clinical decisions and improve outcomes for infants and children who need alternative to shunting. The work builds on prior models to test how these procedures influence brain physiology over time.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, the research could lead to safer, more effective surgical options for children with hydrocephalus and fewer long-term complications.
How similar studies have gone: Previous work has shown feasibility of ETV and CPC in experimental settings, but direct pediatric brain development impacts are still being explored.
Where this research is happening
-
Virginia Commonwealth University
Richmond, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Limbrick, David Delmar — Virginia Commonwealth University
- Study coordinator: Limbrick, David Delmar
Related research
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-
Endoscopic versus Shunt Treatment of Hydrocephalus in Infants
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-
Endoscopic treatment versus shunt for hydrocephalus in infants
This project tests whether a shunt-free endoscopic procedure can be as good as traditional shunting for babies with hydrocephalus.
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Endoscopic treatment vs shunt for infant hydrocephalus
Infants with hydrocephalus may be treated with a shunt or a shunt-free procedure called ETV+CPC, and this study compares the two to see if the shunt-free option can keep cognitive outcomes similar.
-
Functional screen of hydrocephalus and heart-disease genes in a frog model
A study uses frog embryos to test how human genetic changes might cause congenital hydrocephalus and related heart defects, with the goal of understanding why these conditions occur.
-
Modulating choroid plexus function to restore CSF balance in hydrocephalus
A new NIH grant aims to adjust the choroid plexus, the brain’s CSF factory, to restore normal CSF flow and reduce hydrocephalus-related problems.
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.