My husband was diagnosed in 2001 w/dementia and 3 yrs later had a mini stroke. WHile in hosp, they felt he might have nph. Did a lumbar puncture and symptoms were very relieved!!! Of course, we were so encouraged. Arranged for a shunt placement and afterwards, his symptoms were somewhat relieved but the underlying dementia was still there. Wouldn't it be nice if this would be the answer for anyone out there?
I first read about nph in the neurologist's office. He sent DH for an MRI thento a neurosurgeon. The NS said DH was not a good candidate for shunt. Felt it was not nph. DH has a big arachnoid cyst (supposdely from birth) and we were told it could cause more problems. It was a huge disappointment, because I had let myself hope it was nph and not Alz. He did say he would do the surgery if we insisted but at best it would be temporary and at worst it could cause more problems. We opted not to go that route.
I have written often about my 91 year old father, who is mentally sharp. Amazingly so. He has NPH, which has seriously affected his balance and ability to walk. I spoke to his neurologist, who is dumbfounded that my Dad doesn't have dementia, considering he has had the NPH for at least 5 or 6 years. He said that by now, my Dad should be severely demented. Dad, the doctor, and the family have obvioulsy ruled out brain surgery on a 91 year old, so he is never without his walker and an aide at the ALF to help him in the shower or to go on outings.
The standard procedure for diagnosing Alzheimer's is to rule out everything else first. That's why they do the EEG, MRI, blood tests. I would think that NPH is one of the things they look for in the initial workup. If it is NPH, and only NPH without underlying AD, FTD, and a host of other dementias, the surgery to relieve the pressure does work well.