Neuropsychological profile of patients with normal pressure hydrocephalus and Alzheimer's disease

Normal pressure hydrocephalus (NPH) is a potentially treatable neurological disorder if diagnosed accurately and early. If misdiagnosed, or left untreated, the pattern is one of continuing physical and cognitive decline, which becomes increasingly irreversible as more diffuse brain damage is caused. Cognitive profiling is a technique, which can aid early and accurate detection of NPH.

This paper presents the results of two studies showing specific contrasting patterns of neuropsychological dysfunction in subgroups of patients with either early or late stage NPH with patients either in the prodromal stages (mild cognitive impairment) or later stages of Alzheimer's disease. The results demonstrate that there are differential patterns that can be observed in patients with NPH, which can be used effectively within a clinic-context to enhance accurate and early diagnosis and improve long-term prognosis.