Understanding Alzheimer's Disease in Patients with Normal Pressure Hydrocephalus

An investigation of Alzheimer's Disease pathology, microglial immune response, and CSF proteomics in normal pressure hydrocephalus patients

NIH-funded research Columbia University Health Sciences · NIH-11094792

This project looks at brain tissue and spinal fluid from older patients having hydrocephalus surgery to understand how early Alzheimer's disease affects them.

Quick facts

Grant typeR01 grant
Study typeNIH-funded research
Funding institutionColumbia University Health Sciences NIH-funded
Lab location1 site (New York, United States)
Project IDNIH-11094792 on NIH RePORTER

What this research studies

This research uses brain tissue and spinal fluid collected during hydrocephalus surgery in older patients. Researchers are examining these samples for signs of early Alzheimer's disease, such as amyloid plaques and tau pathology. They are also studying the immune response in the brain, specifically how microglia cells behave. The goal is to connect these findings in the tissue and fluid with how patients are doing clinically. This helps us learn more about how Alzheimer's disease might contribute to symptoms in people with hydrocephalus.

Who could benefit from this research

Good fit: This research involves elderly patients who are undergoing surgery for normal pressure hydrocephalus and have brain tissue and CSF samples collected.

Not a fit: Patients who do not have normal pressure hydrocephalus or are not undergoing related surgery would not directly benefit from this specific research.

Why it matters

Potential benefit: If successful, this work could lead to better ways to identify and understand early Alzheimer's disease in patients with normal pressure hydrocephalus, potentially guiding more personalized treatment approaches.

How similar studies have performed: While previous studies have looked at Alzheimer's pathology in autopsy samples, this research offers a novel approach by examining fresh surgical biopsies and CSF from living patients with normal pressure hydrocephalus.

Where this research is happening

New York, United States

Researchers

About this research

  1. This is an active NIH-funded research project — typically early-stage science, not a clinical trial accepting patient enrollment.
  2. Some NIH-funded labs run parallel clinical studies or seek volunteers for related work. To check, contact the principal investigator or institution listed above.
  3. For full project details, budget, and progress reports, visit the official NIH RePORTER page below.
Conditions Alzheimer disease dementiaAlzheimer syndromeAlzheimer's DiseaseAlzheimer's disease pathologyAlzheimer's disease patient
Last reviewed 2026-06-13 by the Find a Trial editorial team. Information on this page is for educational purposes and is not medical advice. Always consult qualified healthcare professionals about clinical trial participation.