Edwin Partridge wrote.....
>The article describes a condition when the fluid which bathes and cushions
>the brain and spinal cord starts accumulating, for unknown reasons. This
>causes the cavities of the brain, called ventricles, to expand and put
>pressure on the brain. This condition is called "normal pressure
>hydrocephalus". [I don't know why the word normal is in there -- I did not
>do it -- don't blame me.]
Edwin, I was diag. with PD in Feb., 1996. I had all the symptoms, including
gate problems, high, light monotone voice, tremors, memory problems,
cognitive problems, etc. When I was put on Sinemet, a lot of the symptoms
went away. In July, 96 I was tested by a memory specialist because of
increasing memory problems. He felt I had something else. I had an MRI
which clearly showed ideopathic normal pressure hydrocephalus (NPH),
indicated by huge ventricles. Ideopathic because the cause is unknown and
normal pressure because when the pressure of the cerebrial spinal fluid is
measured, it is within the normal range. I may or may not also have PD. I
had a shunt put installed in Aug. 1, 96., and most of the PD symptoms went
away almost immediatly (gate instability got much
better, voice is back to normal). In addition I can read in the car with no
problem, and my lactose intolerance of 20 years is completely gone!! I
still have short term, non-associative memory problems, and my cognative
ability has decreased. Tumors will also mimic PD. This is why any diag. of
PD should include an MRI to rule out NPH and tumors.
The exact method by which Sinemet, the so-called gold standard, is effective
against PD is unknown. Thus my neurosurgeon was not surprised that Sinemet
improved NPH. As I understand it, the memory and cognative problems are due
streching and breaking of the neurons, as well as damage to the hippocampus,
which turns short term memory into long term memory.
If anyone on the list woulld like more info on NPH contact me or do a search
on Medline using "normal pressure hydrocephalus".
Peace, John
