For the Media
Hydrocephalus affects over 1 million Americans. It is a chronic medical condition caused by an excessive buildup of cerebrospinal fluid in the brain. Anyone, at any age, can develop hydrocephalus due to factors such as brain injury, tumors, or infections.
Additionally, an estimated 800,000 older Americans are believed to have normal pressure hydrocephalus (NPH), a condition frequently underdiagnosed or misdiagnosed as Parkinson’s, Alzheimer’s, vascular dementia, or normal aging. Often called “treatable dementia,” NPH is one of the few causes of dementia that can be controlled or reversed. As the U.S. baby boomer population ages, cases of NPH are expected to rise significantly, underscoring the urgent need for greater awareness, timely diagnosis, and effective treatment solutions.
Currently, there is no cure for hydrocephalus. The only known treatment is brain surgery to insert a device called a shunt – a small tube with a connected valve that drains excess fluid from the brain to another part of the body. While shunts save lives, they often malfunction, become infected, or get blocked, leading to repeated brain surgeries.
Help us raise awareness by highlighting stories of people living with hydrocephalus and the challenges they face.
Resources
We invite members of the media to explore our website and resources for your stories.
- Press Releases
- Facts about hydrocephalus
- Videos
- Association Newsletter
- Learn about HA’s Research and explore the latest advancements in hydrocephalus research
Please share our website and Helpline number, 888-598-3789, as helpful references.
For additional information or to arrange an interview, contact our Marketing and Communications Department at (240) 483-4875 or email [email protected].
About the Hydrocephalus Association
Founded in 1983 by the parents of children with hydrocephalus, the Hydrocephalus Association (HA) is the nation’s largest and most widely respected organization dedicated to hydrocephalus. Since 2009, HA has invested over $16 million in cutting-edge research, making us the largest non-profit, non-governmental funder of hydrocephalus research in the United States.