Brain shunt surgery put to the test in Placebo-Controlled trial

NCT ID NCT05081128

First seen Jun 24, 2026 · Last updated Jun 27, 2026 · Updated 1 time

Summary

This study tests whether a brain shunt—a device that drains extra fluid—can improve walking and thinking in older adults with idiopathic normal pressure hydrocephalus (iNPH). One hundred participants will either receive an active shunt or a placebo procedure. The main goal is to see if the active shunt improves gait speed after three months.

What this could mean

Our plain-language read of the trial. This is informational only — not medical advice or a prediction.

Active substance

programmable CSF shunt valve (brain shunt surgery)

What this could lead to

If successful, this trial could confirm that shunt surgery effectively improves walking and thinking in people with normal pressure hydrocephalus.

What could go wrong

This is a relatively small, early-stage trial with 100 participants, and results may not apply to all patients. Shunt surgery carries risks like infection or over-drainage of fluid.

Disclaimer Read more

This is a summary of the original study . Summaries may miss details or leave out important information. Before applying or accepting participation, make sure you have read and understood the full study. Curemydisease.com takes no responsibility whatsoever for anything missed, misunderstood, or acted upon as a result of our summary — we know it does not capture everything.

Get updates

Get notified about this study

Sign up to get updates when this study changes or when new studies for IDIOPATHIC NORMAL PRESSURE HYDROCEPHALUS (INPH) are added.

Our safety recommendation!

By submitting, you agree to our Terms of use

Conditions

The condition(s) this trial relates to.

normal pressure hydrocephalus

As listed by the trial registrant

The condition terms exactly as the trial's registrant entered them.

Contacts and locations

Locations

  • Emory University

    Atlanta, Georgia, 30322, United States

  • Indiana University

    Indianapolis, Indiana, 46202, United States

  • Johns Hopkins University

    Baltimore, Maryland, 21287, United States

  • Mayo Clinic

    Rochester, Minnesota, 55905, United States

  • Mount Sinai Health System

    New York, New York, 10029, United States

  • New York University Langone Health

    New York, New York, 10016, United States

  • Oregon Health & Science University

    Portland, Oregon, 97239, United States

  • Pacific Neuroscience Institute

    Santa Monica, California, 90404, United States

  • The University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center

    Dallas, Texas, 75390-8855, United States

  • Umeå University

    Umeå, 901 87, Sweden

  • University of British Columbia

    Vancouver, Canada

  • University of Calgary

    Calgary, Alberta, AB T2N 1N4, Canada

  • University of California, Davis

    Davis, California, 95616, United States

  • University of South Florida

    Tampa, Florida, 33612, United States

  • University of Southern California

    Los Angeles, California, 90089, United States

  • University of Washington

    Seattle, Washington, 98195, United States

  • Wake Forest Baptist Medical Center

    Winston-Salem, North Carolina, 27157-1029, United States