Editorial Acesso aberto

More advanced Alzheimer's disease may be associated with a decrease in cerebrospinal fluid pressure

2009; British Motor Corporation; Volume: 6; Issue: 1 Linguagem: Inglês

10.1186/1743-8454-6-14

ISSN

1743-8454

Autores

Peter Wostyn, Kurt Audenaert, Peter Paul De Deyn,

Tópico(s)

Cerebrospinal fluid and hydrocephalus

Resumo

In a recent article, elevated cerebrospinal fluid pressure (CSFP) consistent with very early normal pressure hydrocephalus (NPH), was found in a small subset of Alzheimer's disease (AD) patients (possible AD-NPH hybrids) enrolled in a clinical trial for chronic low-flow cerebrospinal fluid drainage. Also in the same study, was another interesting finding that merits further discussion: a substantial proportion of AD patients had very low CSFP. Based on the characteristics of these subjects, we hypothesize that more advanced AD may be associated with a decrease in CSFP. Reduced CSFP among a group of AD patients could provide a clue towards a better understanding of the high rate of comorbidity reported between AD and glaucoma since it has been shown that mean CSFP is lower in subjects with primary open-angle glaucoma. This could result in an abnormally high trans-lamina cribrosa pressure difference and lead to glaucomatous damage.

Referência(s)