Hydrocephalus: Molecular and Neuroimaging Biomarkers in Diagnosis and Management
Hydrocephalus is a complex neurological condition marked by abnormal cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) accumulation, often leading to elevated intracranial pressure and structural brain damage. Despite advances in surgical treatment, diagnostic precision and prognosis remain challenging, especially in idiop...
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MDPI AG
2025-06-01
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| author | Andrada-Iasmina Roşu Diana Andrei Laura Andreea Ghenciu Sorin Lucian Bolintineanu |
| author_facet | Andrada-Iasmina Roşu Diana Andrei Laura Andreea Ghenciu Sorin Lucian Bolintineanu |
| author_sort | Andrada-Iasmina Roşu |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description | Hydrocephalus is a complex neurological condition marked by abnormal cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) accumulation, often leading to elevated intracranial pressure and structural brain damage. Despite advances in surgical treatment, diagnostic precision and prognosis remain challenging, especially in idiopathic normal pressure hydrocephalus (iNPH). This narrative review aims to synthesize the current knowledge regarding molecular and neuroimaging biomarkers that hold diagnostic, prognostic, and therapeutic significance in hydrocephalus. A comprehensive literature search was conducted across PubMed, Scopus, Web of Science, and Google Scholar. The inclusion criteria encompassed peer-reviewed studies involving congenital or acquired hydrocephalus and reporting on mechanistic, diagnostic, or monitoring biomarkers. Both established and emerging biomarkers were included, and preclinical findings were considered when translational relevance was apparent. The review highlights a broad spectrum of molecular markers including aquaporins, vascular endothelial growth factor, neurofilaments, glial fibrillary acidic protein, matrix metalloproteinases, and neuroinflammatory markers. The genetic markers associated with ciliogenesis also show promise in subtyping disease. Parallel to molecular advances, neuroimaging techniques, ranging from classic markers like Evans’ index to advanced modalities such as diffusion tensor imaging (DTI), arterial spin labeling (ASL), and glymphatic MRI, provide functional perspectives on hydrocephalus diagnosis and management, while artificial intelligence may further enhance diagnostic algorithms. Molecular and imaging markers could not only increase diagnostic confidence, but also provide information on disease causes and progression. As research progresses, merging various methodologies may result in more accurate diagnoses. |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj-art-d9a4b8261add4756b476de0abb5ef7e3 |
| institution | DOAJ |
| issn | 2227-9059 |
| language | English |
| publishDate | 2025-06-01 |
| publisher | MDPI AG |
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| spelling | doaj-art-d9a4b8261add4756b476de0abb5ef7e32025-08-20T03:02:55ZengMDPI AGBiomedicines2227-90592025-06-01137151110.3390/biomedicines13071511Hydrocephalus: Molecular and Neuroimaging Biomarkers in Diagnosis and ManagementAndrada-Iasmina Roşu0Diana Andrei1Laura Andreea Ghenciu2Sorin Lucian Bolintineanu3Doctoral School, University of Medicine and Pharmacy “Victor Babes”, Eftimie Murgu Square No. 2, 300041 Timisoara, RomaniaDepartment of Balneology, Medical Rehabilitation and Rheumatology, University of Medicine and Pharmacy “Victor Babes”, 300041 Timisoara, RomaniaDepartment of Functional Sciences, Discipline of Pathophysiology, University of Medicine and Pharmacy “Victor Babes”, 300041 Timisoara, RomaniaDepartment of Anatomy and Embriology, University of Medicine and Pharmacy “Victor Babes”, 300041 Timisoara, RomaniaHydrocephalus is a complex neurological condition marked by abnormal cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) accumulation, often leading to elevated intracranial pressure and structural brain damage. Despite advances in surgical treatment, diagnostic precision and prognosis remain challenging, especially in idiopathic normal pressure hydrocephalus (iNPH). This narrative review aims to synthesize the current knowledge regarding molecular and neuroimaging biomarkers that hold diagnostic, prognostic, and therapeutic significance in hydrocephalus. A comprehensive literature search was conducted across PubMed, Scopus, Web of Science, and Google Scholar. The inclusion criteria encompassed peer-reviewed studies involving congenital or acquired hydrocephalus and reporting on mechanistic, diagnostic, or monitoring biomarkers. Both established and emerging biomarkers were included, and preclinical findings were considered when translational relevance was apparent. The review highlights a broad spectrum of molecular markers including aquaporins, vascular endothelial growth factor, neurofilaments, glial fibrillary acidic protein, matrix metalloproteinases, and neuroinflammatory markers. The genetic markers associated with ciliogenesis also show promise in subtyping disease. Parallel to molecular advances, neuroimaging techniques, ranging from classic markers like Evans’ index to advanced modalities such as diffusion tensor imaging (DTI), arterial spin labeling (ASL), and glymphatic MRI, provide functional perspectives on hydrocephalus diagnosis and management, while artificial intelligence may further enhance diagnostic algorithms. Molecular and imaging markers could not only increase diagnostic confidence, but also provide information on disease causes and progression. As research progresses, merging various methodologies may result in more accurate diagnoses.https://www.mdpi.com/2227-9059/13/7/1511hydrocephalusneurological diseasenormal pressure hydrocephalusCSFMRICT |
| spellingShingle | Andrada-Iasmina Roşu Diana Andrei Laura Andreea Ghenciu Sorin Lucian Bolintineanu Hydrocephalus: Molecular and Neuroimaging Biomarkers in Diagnosis and Management Biomedicines hydrocephalus neurological disease normal pressure hydrocephalus CSF MRI CT |
| title | Hydrocephalus: Molecular and Neuroimaging Biomarkers in Diagnosis and Management |
| title_full | Hydrocephalus: Molecular and Neuroimaging Biomarkers in Diagnosis and Management |
| title_fullStr | Hydrocephalus: Molecular and Neuroimaging Biomarkers in Diagnosis and Management |
| title_full_unstemmed | Hydrocephalus: Molecular and Neuroimaging Biomarkers in Diagnosis and Management |
| title_short | Hydrocephalus: Molecular and Neuroimaging Biomarkers in Diagnosis and Management |
| title_sort | hydrocephalus molecular and neuroimaging biomarkers in diagnosis and management |
| topic | hydrocephalus neurological disease normal pressure hydrocephalus CSF MRI CT |
| url | https://www.mdpi.com/2227-9059/13/7/1511 |
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