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<\/a> Read Study Here <\/a><\/p>\r\nHydrocephalus affects cognitive and emotional well-being across the lifespan. Challenges with attention, memory, learning, problem-solving, stress, anxiety, and depression are common and often overlooked. Neuropsychology<\/strong> is a branch of psychology that focuses on how the brain and nervous system work to influence behavior and thinking (cognition).<\/p>\r\n In response to these challenges, we collaborated with neuropsychologists, neuroscientists, medical professionals, caregivers, and those living with hydrocephalus to create research priorities to steer the research in this field. These priorities have been published in the scientific journal, Fluids and Barriers of the CNS<\/i>.<\/a> This underscores our commitment to call upon experts to address one of the most pressing concerns of the hydrocephalus community: improving the quality of life for individuals living with this condition.<\/strong><\/p>\r\n Develop tools to assess and track impairments and find ways to predict cognitive outcomes.<\/p>\r\n See Priorities<\/a> Expand<\/i><\/a><\/p>\r\n Identify cognitive and neuropsychological tests that can:<\/b>\u00a0<\/p>\r\n 1. Be used throughout life and for different types of hydrocephalus.\u00a0<\/p>\r\n 2. Determine if cognitive characteristics are due to hydrocephalus or other common conditions.\u00a0<\/p>\r\n 3. Better assess neonates and infants and monitor changes over time.\u00a0<\/p>\r\n 4. Evaluate cognitive deficits and abilities in hydrocephalus patients over long periods of time.\u00a0<\/p>\r\n Advance Brain Imaging and Analyze Fluids<\/b>\u00a0<\/p>\r\n 5. Identify how changes in the brain can be used to predict neuropsychological outcomes.\u00a0<\/p>\r\n 6. Identify markers found in bodily fluids (e.g. cerebrospinal fluid [CSF] or blood) that can predict cognitive outcomes.\u00a0<\/p>\r\n Predict Developmental and Long-Term Outcomes<\/b>\u00a0<\/p>\r\n 7. Evaluate if neuropsychological tests performed during childhood and adolescence can predict long-term functional outcomes.\u00a0<\/p>\r\n 8. Evaluate adults that have large ventricles but no symptoms to understand their cognitive development.\u00a0<\/p>\r\n Establish care pathways to support individuals from childhood through adulthood, to ensure that they are equipped to manage the demands of schooling, employment, and independent living.<\/p>\r\n See Priorities<\/a> Expand<\/i><\/a><\/p>\r\n 1. Develop pediatric-to-adult transition of care pathways to support independence. \u00a0<\/p>\r\n 2. Evaluate if multidisciplinary clinics that include neuropsychology for adults with hydrocephalus are effective for diagnosis, treatment, and long-term monitoring.\u00a0<\/p>\r\n Explore animal models to further our understanding.<\/p>\r\n See Priorities<\/a> Expand<\/i><\/a><\/p>\r\n 1. Evaluate current animal models of hydrocephalus.\u00a0<\/p>\r\n 2. Develop in vitro (cell) models to test brain development markers identified in animal models.\u00a0<\/p>\r\n 3. In animal models, test whether treatments to repair any disrupted brain development can improve cognition. \u00a0<\/p>\r\n 4. Evaluate markers found in bodily fluids (e.g. blood or CSF) to determine their role in neuropsychological outcomes.\u00a0<\/p>\r\n 5. Test drug therapies in animal models to improve long-term cognitive outcomes.\u00a0<\/p>\r\n 6. Develop cognitive and behavioral tests that can be used in animal models of hydrocephalus.\u00a0<\/p>\r\n 7. Develop large animal models of hydrocephalus to assess surgical treatments and outcomes.\u00a0<\/p>\r\n 8. Create behavioral tests that can be used to study the long-term effects of treated vs. untreated hydrocephalus in large animal models.\u00a0<\/p>\r\n Evaluate how surgical and other interventions affect outcomes.<\/p>\r\n See Priorities<\/a> Expand<\/i><\/a><\/p>\r\n 1. Evaluate how the timing and type of surgery affects long-term cognitive and neuropsychological outcomes in children.\u00a0<\/p>\r\n 2. Identify neuropsychological criteria to help decide if hydrocephalus surgery is worth the risks or if monitoring is better.\u00a0<\/p>\r\n 3. Develop or use existing cognitive assessment tests to identify if surgery is needed.\u00a0<\/p>\r\n 4. Identify brain imaging and fluid markers that can predict if patients will benefit from surgery.\u00a0<\/p>\r\n 5. Include long-term cognitive and neuropsychological outcomes in clinical trials of hydrocephalus therapies.<\/p>\r\n <\/p>\r\n <\/p>\r\n For the more detailed priorities, see the publication \u2192<\/a><\/p>\r\n This initiative marks a significant expansion of the Hydrocephalus Association’s research network to include neuropsychologists, ensuring that the psychological and cognitive aspects of hydrocephalus are integrated into care and research.\u00a0<\/p>\r\n To learn more about the Hydrocephalus Association’s overall research priorities, visit our Research Priorities page.<\/a><\/strong><\/p>\r\n Learn More <\/a><\/p>\r\n\r\n The research priorities include:<\/h2>\r\n
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<\/p>\r\nTo understand the neuropsychological characteristics of hydrocephalus across the lifespan<\/h3>\r\n
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<\/p>\r\nTo improve lifelong
care<\/h3>\r\n![\"4\"](\"https:\/\/www.hydroassoc.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/01\/4-1.png\" "\\"4\\"")
<\/p>\r\nTo advance preclinical
research<\/h3>\r\n![\"3\"](\"https:\/\/www.hydroassoc.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/01\/3-1.png\" "\\"3\\"")
<\/p>\r\nTo understand how treatment can affect neuropsychological outcomes<\/h3>\r\n
Why This Matters<\/h2>\r\n
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