Shunt may improve quality of life for dementia patients

A shunt operation could  improve both mental functions and the ability to walk for patients with dementia caused by white matter changes and hydrocephalus, according to a study published in the American Journal of Neurosurgery.

Dementia is not a specific disease. People with dementia have significantly impaired intellectual functioning that interferes with their normal activities and relationships.

Researchers from the University of Gothenburg and Sahlgrenska University Hospital gave 7 patients a functioning shunt and another 7 a non-functioning shunt and then followed them all for an average of three and a half years.

The results showed the patients who got the functioning shunt had immediate and distinct improvement of mental functions and ability to walk, while those with non-functioning operation improved only after three months.

"Shunt operations have long been used for hydrocephalus, but this study offers more scientifically conclusive results to support the effect of the treatment, and also shows that shunt operations can help far more patients than previously believed with their walking and memory," said Magnus Tisell, docent at the Sahlgrenska Academy.

People with dementia, particularly those in the early stages, may benefit from practicing tasks designed to improve performance in specific aspects of cognitive functioning.

For example, people can sometimes be taught to use memory aids, such as mnemonics, computerized recall devices, or note taking.

Stephen Lau and editing by Aimee Keenan-Greene