Hydrocephalus happens when cerebrospinal fluid builds up in the brain's ventricles, often requiring a shunt to drain excess fluid. It affects about 1 in 500 births and can also develop after brain injury, infection, or bleeding. Treatment has relied on shunts for decades, but they frequently malfunction and require revision surgeries.
What's actually going on in research
Trials are testing shunt alternatives like endoscopic third ventriculostomy with choroid plexus cauterization, especially for infants. Researchers are studying better shunt materials and designs to reduce infection and blockage rates. Studies also examine medications that might reduce cerebrospinal fluid production and imaging tools to predict which patients need intervention.
Endoscopic procedures
Endoscopic third ventriculostomy creates a new drainage pathway inside the brain, avoiding a shunt entirely. Combined with choroid plexus cauterization, it's showing promise in infants who previously had few alternatives to shunts.
Shunt technology improvements
New shunt materials coated with antimicrobial agents aim to prevent infection, which affects up to 15% of shunt surgeries. Programmable valves allow doctors to adjust drainage settings without additional surgery.
What to know before you search
Eligibility typically depends on age, hydrocephalus cause, whether a shunt is already in place, imaging findings, and symptoms like headache or cognitive changes.
What types of trials are currently open
- Surgical technique trials — Comparing endoscopic procedures to traditional shunt placement, particularly in infants and children. Studies track success rates and how often repeat surgery is needed.
- Device trials — Testing new shunt designs, valve types, and antimicrobial coatings to reduce the rate of infection and mechanical failure.
- Medical management studies — Testing medications like acetazolamide or furosemide that reduce cerebrospinal fluid production, particularly in cases where surgery carries high risk.
- Imaging studies — Developing better ways to measure intracranial pressure and predict which patients will benefit from intervention versus watchful waiting.
- Registry studies — Long-term tracking of people with hydrocephalus to understand which treatments work best and what factors predict outcomes.
Recently added Hydrocephalus trials
Examining the Feasibility of Using Pressure Gradient Regulated Automated Cerebral Spinal Fluid Drainage During External Lumbar Drain Trials
The intellidrop device is an FDA-approved system that automates safe, small volume of cerebral spinal fluid drainage with continuous pressure monitoring, reducing nursing workload and human error while improving patient mobility and comfort
Receive a wireless skin sensor to monitor your shunt
This study is evaluating a new, noninvasive device designed to detect whether cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) is flowing through a surgically implanted shunt. CSF shunts are commonly used to treat hydrocephalus, but it can be difficult to tell whether a shunt is working properly without invasive testing or imaging that does not directly measure flow. The study device is a small, wireless sensor placed on the skin over the shunt tubing, typically near the collarbone. It uses gentle, controlled warmth to measure temperature changes that indicate whether fluid is flowing inside the shunt. The device does not break the skin and does not change a participant's medical care. This study will enroll children and adults who already have a CSF shunt and who do not have new or worsening symptoms of shunt malfunction. All participants will have a measurement taken while their shunt valve is at its usual prescribed setting. Some participants with programmable shunt valves will also have a second measurement taken after their valve is temporarily adjusted to a setting intended to stop or greatly reduce flow ("virtual off"). After this measurement, the valve will be returned to its prescribed setting. The study device results will not be shown to participants or their medical providers and will not be used to make treatment decisions. The goal of the study is to determine how well the device can distinguish between shunts that are allowing flow and those that are not. Participants will be monitored for a short period after device use and, if applicable, after any valve adjustment. The main risks of participation are mild skin irritation from the adhesive or temporary symptoms related to valve adjustment. Participants are not expected to receive a direct medical benefit, but the information gained may help improve future diagnosis of shunt function.
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