Ongoing Clinical Trials for Hydrocephalus
There are currently 2 ongoing clinical trials investigating new approaches to understanding and diagnosing hydrocephalus in adults. These studies are being conducted in Norway and focus on advanced imaging techniques to better understand how fluid moves and is absorbed in the brain.
Clinical trial locations
- Norway
Study of Gadobutrol for MRI in Adults with Cerebrospinal Fluid Disorders, Including Hydrocephalus and Brain Tumors
This trial is investigating how a special contrast agent called gadobutrol can help improve brain imaging for people with various conditions affecting cerebrospinal fluid, including communicating hydrocephalus. The study is being conducted in Norway and is expected to continue until the end of 2026.
Who can participate: Adults and children with one of the following conditions can join this study: communicating hydrocephalus, idiopathic intracranial hypertension (high pressure inside the skull without a known cause), idiopathic intracranial hypotension (low pressure inside the skull without a known cause), intracranial cysts (fluid-filled sacs inside the skull), primary malignant brain tumor (a cancerous growth that started in the brain), or post-subarachnoid hemorrhage (a condition following bleeding around the brain). Both males and females can participate.
Main focus: The trial aims to better understand how cerebrospinal fluid flows through the brain and where blockages might occur. Researchers will inject gadobutrol into the spinal canal and then use MRI scans to track how the contrast agent moves through the brain over time. This helps doctors see where fluid flow might be blocked and how quickly substances are cleared from the brain. The primary goal is to observe how the MRI signal changes over time after the contrast is given, and to analyze differences in how various brain regions respond.
Investigational agent: The trial uses an intrathecal contrast agent (gadobutrol), which is a gadolinium-based substance injected into the space around the spinal cord. This agent enhances MRI images, making it easier to visualize fluid movement in the brain and identify any problems with cerebrospinal fluid flow and clearance.
Study on Water Absorption in the Brain for Adults with Hydrocephalus Using O15-Water
This study is examining how well the brain absorbs water in adults with hydrocephalus. Conducted at Oslo University Hospital in Norway, the trial will continue until the end of 2026 and uses a specialized imaging approach to measure water absorption capacity in the brain’s fluid-filled spaces.
Who can participate: Adults between 18 and 64 years old with either communicating hydrocephalus (where fluid can flow between brain areas but isn’t absorbed properly) or non-communicating hydrocephalus (where fluid flow is blocked) are eligible. Both male and female participants can join, and participants should not belong to vulnerable populations such as those unable to make their own decisions.
Who cannot participate: The study excludes people younger than 18 or older than 65, as well as those who are not diagnosed with adult hydrocephalus.
Main focus: The trial seeks to establish quantitative measurements of how well the brain’s ventricles absorb water in people with hydrocephalus. Participants will receive an injection of a special solution called O15-water (oxygen-15 water) directly into the brain’s ventricles. Researchers will then use PET/CT imaging (Positron Emission Tomography and Computed Tomography) to track and measure how this water is absorbed. The goal is to develop a model that helps explain water absorption patterns in the brain, which could lead to better understanding and management of the condition.
Investigational agent: The study uses 15-oxygen-water, a specially labeled form of water that can be tracked in the body. This diagnostic agent is administered directly into the brain’s ventricles and helps researchers measure and understand how water moves and is absorbed in patients with hydrocephalus.
Summary
Both ongoing clinical trials for hydrocephalus are concentrated in Norway and share a focus on advanced diagnostic imaging techniques rather than traditional drug treatments. Both studies aim to improve our understanding of how fluids move and are absorbed in the brain, which is fundamental to managing hydrocephalus effectively.
The first trial investigates the broader category of cerebrospinal fluid disorders using gadobutrol contrast for MRI imaging, while the second focuses specifically on measuring water absorption capacity in adults with hydrocephalus using radioactively labeled water and PET/CT imaging. Together, these studies represent important steps toward developing better diagnostic tools and potentially more targeted treatment approaches for people living with hydrocephalus.
Both trials are expected to conclude by the end of 2026 and may provide valuable insights that could influence future clinical practice in diagnosing and monitoring this condition.
