Normal pressure hydrocephalus (or NPH) is a brain disorder that mostly affects people
over the age of 65 — one that can cause walking difficulties, memory problems and loss of
bladder control.
The condition is estimated to affect more than 800,000 adults in the United States, but it
often goes undiagnosed — or is mistaken for other issues, such as Alzheimer’s or
Parkinson’s.
Cooper University Health Care is working to change that.
Cooper is currently enrolling patients in a trial of a new procedure that uses the eShunt
System, a small implant designed to drain excess fluid from around the brain without the
need for traditional brain surgery.
Cooper is one of several hospitals across the country (but the only one in South Jersey)
participating in the national STRIDE Pivotal Study, which will evaluate how safe and
effective this treatment is.
Dr. Ajith Thomas, Chair and Chief of the Department of Neurology at Cooper University
Health Care said the trial represents an exciting new frontier for treating NPH.
“By offering a minimally invasive approach, we hope to give patients relief from life-altering
symptoms with fewer risks and a quicker recovery than standard surgery,” he said.
NPH is a condition in which too much spinal fluid builds up in the brain, putting pressure
on key areas that control walking, thinking, and bladder function.
The eShunt System, developed by CereVasc, Inc., uses a catheter-based technique to
place a small implant at the base of the skull. This implant helps drain the fluid into a
nearby vein, relieving pressure on the brain. The goal is to avoid traditional surgery, which
typically involves opening the skull and can come with higher risks and longer recovery
times.
The STRIDE Study is open to eligible patients who meet certain criteria.
For more information about participating in the trial at Cooper University Health Care, click
here.
