CSF-Biomechanics

NPH is a disease that occurs mainly after the age of 65 and involves three common symptoms - gait disturbance, dementia and incontinence. It is believed that approximately 10% of all dementia patients are actually NPH patients. Magnetic resonance imaging can show loss of brain tissue and increased accumulation of cerebrospinal fluid ("CSF" - also called "cerebrospinal fluid") surrounding the brain, spinal cord and nerve roots down to the lumbar spine. The flow dynamics of the CSF, particularly in the spinal region, is also altered. However, the causes of NPH are still completely unclear. In addition, so-called "redundant nerve roots" (RNR), tangled, hypertrophied and congested nerve fibers, are observed in the area of stenoses of the spinal canal. These not only exacerbate the problem of stenosis, but are also thought to be caused by the morphological changes in the spine. The phenomenon of RNR is accompanied by corresponding neurological complaints, and a connection with the problem of NPH is likely. However, also in this case the actual causes are unknown so far and will be investigated by experimental as well as theoretical studies in collaboration with clinical partners. By modeling (in vitro and in silico) the CSF dynamics, effects and influencing factors of pathologic changes can be investigated, among others, in sensitivity analyses of the dynamic fluid system as a basis for the development of new diagnostic and therapeutic options.