University of Alabama at Birmingham Department of Neurosurgery Assistant Professor Marshall Holland, M.D., M.S., and Department of Medicine Assistant Professor Bryan Becker, Ph.D., recently obtained an Integrative Center for Aging Research (ICAR) Pilot Grant for their project, “CHORUS Study: Circadian Rhythms and Normal Pressure Hydrocephalus.”
 
Holland and Becker’s pilot project proposal was selected by the UAB ICAR to receive funding after being deemed meritorious by two UAB faculty members and by ICAR leadership. 
 
Funding in the amount of $25,000 became available on Dec. 1, 2023.

About the Project
 
During their project, Holland and Becker will study the potential mechanisms and genetics of idiopathic normal pressure hydrocephalous (iNPH) in both a rat and human model.
 
Idiopathic normal pressure hydrocephalous, a subtype of dementia affecting less than 6% of people age 80 or older, has a poorly understood etiology and limited treatment options. 
 
While it is unclear why, some iNPH patients experience symptom improvement with cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) flow diversion, but preoperative treatment response prediction is clinically challenging. 
 
The flow of CSF is thought to follow circadian rhythms, which are recognized as a causative factor of many neurological diseases. Despite evidence that iNPH symptom improvement and CSF flow diversion are related, the associated pathophysiology is largely understudied. 
 
Through their research, Holland and Becker will identify potential gene expression alterations and novel biomarkers, provide iNPH progression intervention targets and gather clinical data relating to sleep outcomes in CSF flow diversion patients.