Biomarker changes in suspected idiopathic normal-pressure hydrocephalus patients undergoing external lumbar drainage: a pilot study.

Aim: To examine whether changes in biomarker concentrations in patients with idiopathic normal-pressure hydrocephalus (iNPH) during 72 h of external lumbar drainage (ELD) can differentiate between responders and non-responders.

Methods: Twenty patients with clinical and neuroradiological signs of iNPH underwent ELD over a period of 72 h. During this period, changes in cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) concentrations of biomarkers (amyloid-β, total and phosphorylated tau proteins) and intracranial pressure were monitored, and the volume of drained CSF was measured.

Changes of cerebrospinal fluid pressure gradient in different body positions under experimental impairment of cerebrospinal fluid pathway: new insight into hydrocephalus development.

It is generally accepted that hydrocephalus is a consequence of the disbalance between cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) secretion and absorption which should in turn lead to CSF pressure gradient development and ventricular enlargement. To test CSF pressure gradient role in hydrocephalus development, we experimentally caused CSF system impairment at two sites in cats. In the first group of animals, we caused Sylvian aqueduct obstruction and recorded CSF pressure changes pre and post obstruction at three measuring sites (lateral ventricle -LV, cortical-CSS and lumbar subarachnoid space -LSS) during 15 min periods and in different body positions over 360 degrees.

Salivary cortisone as potential predictor of occupational exposure to noise and related stress.

Salivary cortisone strongly correlates with serum cortisol, and since it is less invasive to measure salivary cortisone than serum cortisol and easier than to measure cortisol in saliva, as its concentrations are much lower, we wanted to compare salivary cortisone and cortisol levels as markers of noise-induced stress reaction. The study included 104 participants aged 19-30 years, 50 of whom were exposed to occupational noise ≥85 dB(A) and 54 non-exposed, control students. All participants took samples of their saliva with Salivette Cortisol synthetic swabs on three consecutive working days first thing in the morning.

Predictive value of spinal CSF volume in the preoperative assessment of patients with idiopathic normal-pressure hydrocephalus.

Introduction: The pathophysiology, diagnosis, and management of idiopathic normal pressure hydrocephalus (iNPH) remain unclear. Although some prognostic tests recommended in iNPH guidelines should have high sensitivity and high predictive value, there is often no positive clinical response to surgical treatment.

Materials And Methods: In our study, 19 patients with clinical and neuroradiological signs of iNPH were selected for preoperative evaluation and possible further surgical treatment according to the guidelines.

Current Understanding of the Anatomy, Physiology, and Magnetic Resonance Imaging of Neurofluids: Update From the 2022 "ISMRM Imaging Neurofluids Study group" Workshop in Rome.

Neurofluids is a term introduced to define all fluids in the brain and spine such as blood, cerebrospinal fluid, and interstitial fluid. Neuroscientists in the past millennium have steadily identified the several different fluid environments in the brain and spine that interact in a synchronized harmonious manner to assure a healthy microenvironment required for optimal neuroglial function. Neuroanatomists and biochemists have provided an incredible wealth of evidence revealing the anatomy of perivascular spaces, meninges and glia and their role in drainage of neuronal waste products.