The amplitude of cardiac-related pulsations in intracranial pressure has recently been suggested as useful for selecting patients for shunt surgery in hydrocephalus. To better understand how shunting affects these pulsations, we aim to model the relationship between mean pressure and pulsation amplitude in a wide range, including low pressures typically found after shunt surgery. Twenty-five patients with probable idiopathic normal pressure hydrocephalus were examined with lumbar constant pressure infusion investigations including drainage of cerebrospinal fluid. Mean pressure and pulsation amplitude were determined for consecutive 1.5 s intervals, starting at peak pressure (ca 35 mmHg), after infusion, continuing during spontaneous return to baseline and drainage to 0 mmHg. The amplitude versus pressure relationship revealed a linear phase at higher pressures (14-32 mmHg, lack of fit test: p = 0.79), a transitional phase and an essentially constant phase at low pressures (0-10 mmHg, slope = -0.02, lack of fit test: p = 0.88). Individual patients' baseline values were found in all three phases. The model and methodology presented in this paper can be used to preoperatively identify patients with potential for postoperative amplitude decrease and to predict how much the amplitude can be reduced.

Background: It is suggested that disturbed CSF dynamics are involved in the pathophysiology of idiopathic normal pressure hydrocephalus (INPH). The pulsatility curve describes the relationship between intracranial pressure (ICP) and the amplitude of cardiac related ICP pulsations. The position of baseline ICP on the curve provides information about the physiological state of the CSF dynamic system. The objective of the study was to investigate if shunt surgery modifies the pulsatility curve and the baseline position on the curve, and how this relates to gait improvement in INPH.

Methods: 51 INPH patients were investigated with lumbar CSF dynamic investigations preoperatively and 5 months after shunt surgery. During the investigation, ICP was measured at baseline, and then a CSF sample was removed, resulting in pressure reduction. After this, ICP was regulated with an automated infusion protocol, with a maximum increase of 24 mm Hg above baseline. The pulsatility curve was thus determined in a wide range of ICP values. Gait improvement was defined as a gait speed increase >= 0.1 m/s.

Results: The pulsatility curve was unaltered by shunting. Baseline ICP and amplitude were reduced (-3.0 +/- 2.9 mm Hg; -1.1 +/- 1.5 mm Hg; p < 0.05, n = 51). Amplitude reduction was larger for gait improvers (-1.2 +/- 1.6 mm Hg, n = 42) than non-improvers (-0.2 +/- 0.5 mm Hg, n = 9) (p < 0.05) although mean ICP reduction did not differ.

Conclusions: The pulsatility curve was not modified by shunt surgery, while the baseline position was shifted along the curve. Observed differences between gait improvers and non-improvers support cardiac related ICP pulsations as a component of INPH pathophysiology.

Disturbed cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) dynamics are part of the pathophysiology of normal pressure hydrocephalus (NPH) and can be modified and treated with shunt surgery. This study investigated the contribution of established CSF dynamic parameters to AMPmean, a prognostic variable defined as mean amplitude of cardiac-related intracranial pressure pulsations during 10 min of lumbar constant infusion, with the aim of clarifying the physiological interpretation of the variable. AMPmean and CSF dynamic parameters were determined from infusion tests performed on 18 patients with suspected NPH. Using a mathematical model of CSF dynamics, an expression for AMPmean was derived and the influence of the different parameters was assessed. There was high correlation between modelled and measured AMPmean (r = 0.98, p < 0.01). Outflow resistance and three parameters relating to compliance were identified from the model. Correlation analysis of patient data confirmed the effect of the parameters on AMPmean (Spearman's ρ = 0.58-0.88, p < 0.05). Simulated variations of ±1 standard deviation (SD) of the parameters resulted in AMPmean changes of 0.6-2.9 SD, with the elastance coefficient showing the strongest influence. Parameters relating to compliance showed the largest contribution to AMPmean, which supports the importance of the compliance aspect of CSF dynamics for the understanding of the pathophysiology of NPH.

Introduction The physiological effect of posture on intracranial pressure (ICP) is not well described. This study defined and evaluated three mathematical models describing the postural effects on ICP, designed to predict ICP at different head-up tilt-angles from the supine ICP value.

Methods Model I was based on a hydrostatic indifference point for the cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) system, i.e. the existence of a point in the system where pressure is independent of body position. Models II and III were based on Davson's equation for CSF absorption, which relates ICP to venous pressure, and postulated that gravitational effects within the venous system are transferred to the CSF system. Model II assumed a fully communicating venous system and model III that collapse of the jugular veins at higher tilt-angles creates two separate hydrostatic compartments. Evaluation of the models was based on ICP measurements at seven tilt-angles (0-71°)in 27 normal pressure hydrocephalus patients.

Results ICP decreased with tilt-angle (ANOVA, p<0.01). The reduction was well predicted by model III (ANOVA lack-of-fit: p=0.65), which showed excellent fit against measured ICP. Neither model I nor II adequately described the reduction in ICP (ANOVA lack-of-fit: p<0.01).

Conclusion Postural changes in ICP could not be predicted based on the currently accepted theory of a hydrostatic indifference point for the CSF system, but a new model combining Davson's equation for CSF absorption and hydrostatic gradients in a collapsible venous system performed well and can be useful in future research on gravity and CSF physiology.

Idiopathic normal pressure hydrocephalus (INPH) is linked to disturbance of the CSF circulation, though the exact nature of the disturbance is not clarified. Phase contrast magnetic resonance imaging (PC-MRI) allows for measurement of local CSF and blood flows, and has been applied in hydrocephalus to demonstrate changes in both cerebral blood flow and aqueduct CSF flow. Many of these studies have, however been based on small numbers of subjects, or poorly defined selection criteria. This study therefore aimed to confirm if cerebral blood flow and CSF flow between compartments differed between INPH subjects and healthy elderly.

Forty-three healthy elderly and 22 patients diagnosed with INPH according to the INPH guidelines were investigated with PC-MRI measurements of cerebral arterial inflow (CBF) and internal jugular venous outflow, cervical CSF flow, and aqueduct CSF flow. Both net flows, pulsatile aspects of flow, and delays between flow waveforms were analysed.

Pulsatility in the aqueduct flow was significantly higher in INPH than healthy elderly (aqueduct stroke volume: 189±184 vs. 86±46 ml, p<0.01). There was larger variation in aqueduct net flow in INPH (SD: 1.31 vs. 0.25 ml/min), but the mean net flow did not differ. Cerebral blood flow and internal jugular vein flow showed no significant differences between the groups, though there was a trend toward lower CBF in the diastolic phase and higher CBF pulsatility index. No differences were found in flow delays.

In conclusion, cerebral in- and outflow of blood, and cervical CSF flow were similar in healthy elderly and INPH subjects. Aqueduct flow showed higher pulsatility in INPH, but there was no general reversal of the direction of aqueduct net flow.