Symptoms:

The symptoms often begin slowly.

A person needs to have three symptoms to be diagnosed with normal pressure hydrocephalus:

• Changes in the way a person walks: difficulty when beginning to walk (gait apraxia), feet held wider apart than normal, shuffling of the feet, unsteadiness
• Slowing of mental function: forgetfulness, difficulty paying attention, apathy or no mood
• Problems controlling urine (urinary incontinence), and sometimes controlling stools (fecal incontinence)

Sudden falls without a loss of consciousness or other symptoms (drop attacks) may occur early in the illness.

Note: Many of these symptoms are common in the elderly, and may be caused by other conditions.

Signs and tests:

An examination shows walking (gait) changes related to the pressure placed on parts of the brain. Deep tendon reflexes may be increased in the lower legs.

Tests include:

• Lumbar puncture (spinal tap) with careful testing of walking before and after the spinal tap
• Head CT scan or MRI of the head