Cooper University Health Care, an academic health system affiliated with Cooper Medical School of Rowan University, is enrolling patients in a clinical trial for a new, less-invasive treatment option for a condition called normal pressure hydrocephalus or NPH.
This is a brain disorder that mostly affects people over the age of 65 that can cause walking difficulties, memory problems, and loss of bladder control. NPH is a condition in which too much spinal fluid builds up in the brain, putting pressure on the ability to control walking, thinking, and bladder function. It is estimated to affect more than 800,000 adults in the United States, but many cases go unrecognized.
The new procedure uses the eShunt System, a small implant designed to drain excess fluid from around the brain without the need for more invasive brain surgery. Cooper is one of several hospitals across the country participating in the national STRIDE Pivotal Study, which will evaluate how safe and effective this treatment is. Cooper says it is the only health system in the Philadelphia and South Jersey region participating in this clinical trial.
“This trial represents an exciting new frontier for treating NPH, a condition that often goes undiagnosed or is mistaken for other issues like Alzheimer’s or Parkinson’s,” said Dr. Ajith J. Thomas, chair and chief of the Department of Neurology at Cooper University Health Care. “By offering a minimally invasive approach, we hope to give patients relief from life-altering symptoms with fewer risks and a quicker recovery than standard surgery.”
The eShunt System, developed by Charlestown. Mass.-based CereVasc Inc., uses a catheter-based technique to place a small implant at the base of the skull. This implant helps drain the fluid into a nearby vein, relieving pressure on the brain. The goal is to avoid traditional surgery, which typically involves opening the skull and can come with higher risks and longer recovery times.
