The neuropsychology of normal pressure hydrocephalus (NPH)

Abstract

Normal pressure hydrocephalus (NPH) accounts for one of the few known forms of reversible dementia. Varied aetiology and clinical presentation contribute to difficulties with early or differential diagnoses, and delayed surgical treatment may be less efficacious. Clinical neuropsychology provides a means of determining a cognitive profile for NPH, assisting in differential diagnosis, tracking the disorder's progression and assessing the efficacy of treatment. This article will review possible applications of clinical neuropsychology and propose a clinical assessment protocol for NPH.

Key words:

• Clinical assessment
• normal pressure
• hydrocephalus
• neuropsychology
• NPH
• cognition
• dementia
• CANTAB