Hydrocephalus Association Interview
Hydrocephalus is a neurological condition where fluid builds up in the brain which cannot drain. In babies, it’s as common as Down’s Syndrome. But it’s an affliction far fewer have heard about.
Hydrocephalus Association funds research into a cure and offers support and education to those affected.
Find out how your donation can help young scientists improve countless lives by saving patients from repeated brain surgery.
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March 8, 2021
Why Surgeons Still Use a 50 Year-Old Procedure to Treat Hydrocephalus
#145 Great.com Talks With... Hydrocephalus Association
Hydrocephalus affects a staggering one million people in the USA. One baby in every 770 develops it in their first year. But it has not yet received its fair share of publicity. In this episode we talked with Diana Gray from Hydrocephalus Association about discovering new treatments for this often misdiagnosed condition.
What Is Hydrocephalus?
Hydrocephalus is a buildup of cerebrospinal fluid in the brain that cannot drain properly. The increased pressure inside the skull can cause serious cognitive dysfunction. Anyone can get hydrocephalus: some develop it as a child, some as result of a head injury and others in old age. Doctors will sometimes mistake it for Alzheimer’s or Parkinson’s.
Currently, the only way to treat the condition involves brain surgery. Most patients receive a ‘shunt’: a valve with tubing leading down from the brain to the abdomen to drain the fluid. Unfortunately, shunts are an outdated solution. They are prone to failure, which means many patients require numerous visits to the operating theatre over the course of their lives.
This is why the Hydrocephalus Association invests heavily in much needed research. Diana explains that the organization funds young scientists who are looking for innovative treatments, hoping that their work will gain traction. It’s going well; after receiving 12 million dollars from Hydrocephalus Association, researchers have gone on to win a further 35 million in grants. Currently, there are ten different projects looking into drug therapies as an alternative to surgery.
Listen to the whole interview to find out about the support and education Hydrocephalus Association offers patients and their families. You can also make a donation to fund vital research into a cure.
Want to learn more about Hydrocephalus Association? You can subscribe to their newsletter and follow them on Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, Youtube and LinkedIn.
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