Effects of CSF tap test on the gait disturbance in normal pressure hydrocephalus

In normal pressure hydrocephalus (NPH) a disturbance of gait is typically the first symptom to appear and is considered as most important within the symptomatic triad described by Hakim and Adams. The most common test for the outcome of a shunt operation is a CSF tap test. In this study we investigated which gait parameters positively response to CSF tapping and at which time period after tapping this response is most pronounced. The study cohort comprised 41 patients (72.2±10.0 years, 12 females). All patients underwent a cranial MRI scan prior to CSF tap test, a neuropsychological examination prior and after C…