Levels of inflammatory cytokines MCP-1, CCL4, and PD-L1 in CSF differentiate idiopathic normal pressure hydrocephalus from neurodegenerative diseases.

Background: Neuroinflammatory processes have been suggested to play a role in the pathophysiology of neurodegenerative diseases and post-hemorrhagic hydrocephalus, but have rarely been investigated in patients with idiopathic normal pressure hydrocephalus (iNPH). The aim of this study was to investigate whether levels of inflammatory proteins in CSF are different in iNPH compared to healthy controls and patients with selected neurodegenerative disorders, and whether any of these markers can aid in the differential diagnosis of iNPH.

Methods: Lumbar CSF was collected from 172 patients from a single center and represented iNPH (n = 74), Alzheimer's disease (AD) (n = 21), mild cognitive impairment (MCI) due to AD (n = 21), stable MCI (n = 22), frontotemporal dementia (n = 13), and healthy controls (HC) (n = 21).

Central nervous system hemangioblastomas in von Hippel-Lindau disease: Total growth rate and risk of developing new lesions not associated with circulating VEGF levels.

Background: Hemangioblastomas of the central nervous system are a prominent feature of von Hippel-Lindau-disease (vHL). Hemangioblastomas are known to secrete vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF), suggesting a potential role of VEGF as a biomarker for tumor growth.

Methods: Plasma VEGF samples from 24 patients with von Hippel-Lindau disease were analyzed by solid-phase proximity ligation assay (PLA).

Higher levels of neurofilament light chain and total tau in CSF are associated with negative outcome after shunt surgery in patients with normal pressure hydrocephalus.

Background: Lumbar punctures are a common examination in the work-up of patients with idiopathic normal pressure hydrocephalus (iNPH) and cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) biomarkers should therefore be available for use in selection of shunt candidates. The aim of this study was to investigate if CSF biomarkers are associated with outcome after shunt surgery alone or in combination with comorbidity and imaging markers, and investigate associations between CSF biomarkers and symptoms.

Methods: Preoperative CSF biomarkers were analyzed in 455 patients operated with shunt surgery for iNPH at a single center during 2011-2018.

Negative predictors of shunt surgery outcome in normal pressure hydrocephalus.

Objectives: The prevalence of idiopathic normal pressure hydrocephalus (iNPH) and vascular comorbidity increases with age. It has not been clarified if high age and vascular disease are negative predictors of shunt surgery outcome in patients with iNPH. The aim of this study was to investigate the impact of high age and vascular comorbidity on outcome after shunt surgery in patients with iNPH.