What Is The Medical Explanation For Hydrocephalus?

What is the medical explanation for hydrocephalus? Hydrocephalus is defined broadly as a disruption in the formation, flow, or absorption of cerebrospinal fluid (CSF), resulting in an increase in the volume occupied by this fluid in the Central Nervous System (CNS). It's also known as a hydrodynamic CSF disorder. Acute hydrocephalus lasts days, subacute hydrocephalus lasts weeks, and chronic hydrocephalus lasts months or years.

There are several types of hydrocephalus:

Benign external hydrocephalus is a self-limiting absorption deficiency of infancy and early childhood characterized by mildly elevated intracranial pressure (ICP). The ventricles are usually not significantly enlarged, and the condition usually resolves within a year.

Normal pressure hydrocephalus (NPH) is uncommon in patients under the age of 60. This condition is distinguished by enlarged ventricles and intermittent intracranial hypertension. Gait apraxia, incontinence, and dementia are the classic Hakim triad of symptoms.

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Communicating hydrocephalus is caused by complete communication between the ventricles and the subarachnoid space. It is caused by CSF overproduction, CSF absorption problems, or venous drainage insufficiency.

Noncommunicating hydrocephalus occurs when CSF flow within the ventricular system or at its outlets is obstructed. It is caused by lesions that occupy intraventricular or extraventricular mass and disrupt the ventricular anatomy.

Congenital hydrocephalus refers to ventriculomegaly (enlargement of the ventricles) that occurs during the fetal and infancy periods and is frequently associated with macrocephaly (enlarged cranium).

What explains hydrocephaly? Brain plasticity?

Brain plasticity is the brain's ability to reorganize itself, forming new brain cells and connections, as well as new functions for brain cells (neurons).

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Brain plasticity is adaptive, meaning it improves function or compensates for lost function. The verdict is in: the brain is capable of remarkable widespread growth and adaptation throughout life, not just during childhood.

When we form a new long-term memory, learn something new, or develop a new skill, new neurons, and brain circuitry are formed as a result.

With each new skill, a new network of brain tissue develops. Long-term meditation practice changes the circuitry of the cortical hemispheres.

As you learn a new musical instrument, your cortex's focal points expand.

Many neurologists believe that these unusual cases of hydrocephaly are testaments to the brain's incredible plasticity.

Is brain plasticity responsible for hydrocephaly?

Brain plasticity is clearly at work here in some ways. These people's brains have obviously reorganized themselves massively - almost beyond recognition.

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But, do the principles of this reorganization make sense? No, it does not. While growing extra neural connection strengths or new neurons as a result of learning can be explained in terms of brain plasticity, the kind of colossal transformation we're seeing here goes far beyond what standard scientific theories about brain function can explain.

Patrick Wall, professor of anatomy at University College, London believes that talking as though these cases are explained by the brain's plasticity " is a cop-out to get around something you don't understand". I agree with him.

Hydrocephaly and the power of the human mind

Hydrocephaly, in my opinion, demonstrates that our MINDS can influence the neurobiology of our brains.

This means that understanding these remarkable individuals with almost no brains is best accomplished by determining how mental causes cause and re-organize brain processes - rather than our usual way of thinking about it: that brain processes determine our mental life.

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The fact that these people have normal or exceptional minds despite having only a small fraction of the normal amount of brain tissue defies conventional neuroscientific explanations of behavior.

Getting an honors degree in mathematics with a 50-gram brain can only be explained if we accept that mental life, in some ways, transcends biological life: there must be emergent properties that are fully MENTAL that end up rewiring the brain in ways that defy our current scientific understanding.

Many of these people describe themselves as strong-willed and obstinate. I'm going to make a wild guess: EVERY SINGLE ONE OF THESE CASE STUDIES HAS A STRONG MIND. They are determined, obstinate, and focused.

These characteristics would be revealed if they took personality tests. They have brains that defy logic.

Individuals with hydrocephaly demonstrate, with a strong and determined mind, that you only need a brain the size of a large coin to get a first-class honors degree in mathematics!

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Consider what is possible with a strong mind and a 1.5kg brain like the majority of us.

FAQs Related To What Is The Medical Explanation For Hydrocephalus

What is the main cause of hydrocephalus?

Hydrocephalus is caused by an imbalance in the amount of cerebrospinal fluid produced and absorbed into the bloodstream. Cerebrospinal fluid is produced by brain tissues that line the ventricles. It moves through the ventricles via interconnected channels.

What are the three main causes of hydrocephalus?

Bleeding inside the brain - for example, if blood leaks over the brain's surface - is one possible cause of acquired hydrocephalus (subarachnoid haemorrhage) clots of blood in the brain (venous thrombosis) Meningitis is a bacterial infection of the membranes that surround the brain and spinal cord.

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What are the 4 types of hydrocephalus?

Communication hydrocephalus, non-communicating hydrocephalus, normal pressure hydrocephalus, and ex-vacuo hydrocephalus are the four main types of hydrocephalus. When the flow of CSF after it leaves your ventricles is blocked, you have to communicate hydrocephalus.

What is the best treatment for hydrocephalus?

The surgical insertion of a drainage system, known as a shunt, is the most common treatment for hydrocephalus.

It is made up of a long, flexible tube with a valve that keeps brain fluid flowing in the right direction and at the right rate. 

One end of the tubing is usually inserted into one of the ventricles of the brain.

Can hydrocephalus be treated with drugs?

In neonates, acetazolamide (ACZ) and furosemide (FUR) is used to treat posthemorrhagic hydrocephalus. 

Both are diuretics that appear to reduce CSF secretion at the choroid plexus level. ACZ can be used on its own or in combination with FUR.

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How do you diagnose hydrocephalus?

CT and MRI scans are frequently used in tandem to confirm a diagnosis of congenital hydrocephalus and hydrocephalus that develops later in children and adults (acquired). These provide a thorough examination of the brain.

Can hydrocephalus be cured without surgery?

While there is no known way to prevent or cure hydrocephalus, three life-saving treatment options that require brain surgery are available.

Can hydrocephalus be stopped?

There is no cure for hydrocephalus, but there are treatments that allow those affected to live relatively normal lives. 

In some cases, the blockage that is causing the fluid buildup in the brain can be surgically removed.

Can hydrocephalus be treated naturally?

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At the moment, there is no pharmacological treatment for hydrocephalus, which is only treated surgically. 

Typically, a tube is inserted into the fluid-filled cavities of the brain, and excess liquid is drained to another part of the body.

Can hydrocephalus cause sudden death?

To begin with, sudden death in hydrocephalic patients can occur without any warning of gradually worsening obtundation or signs of herniation. Prior to respiratory arrest, such patients may be awake and ambulatory.



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