We are very excited to announce that we will soon be opening the Normal Pressure Hydrocephalus Centre of Excellence in the Briz Brain & Spine practice at Bowen Hills, the first dedicated centre of its kind in Australia.

Normal Pressure Hydrocephalus (NPH) is a condition where there is an abnormal build-up of fluid in the ventricles of the brain but without increased cranial pressure. There are two forms of the condition - idiopathic NPH which mostly affects adults over 60 years and secondary NPH which can affect adults of any age. Idiopathic NPH is the most common form of the condition and in many cases, it is reversible. Symptoms include problems walking, reduced cognition or dementia and urinary control problems. Often, patients presenting with this triad of symptoms are diagnosed with other, non-reversible forms of dementia and may miss the opportunity to be treated.

The NPH Centre of Excellence has been established by Briz Brain & Spine neurosurgeon Dr Frank Tomlinson in collaboration with QSMC and I-MED Radiology.

"NPH is a potentially reversible condition that is under-diagnosed," Dr Tomlinson said. "We hope that this Centre will help change that so that more GPs can identify the condition in their patients which will ultimately lead to an improved quality of life for them."

Patients will soon be able to access the service through a referral from their GP. The finer details are still being worked out but it is hoped that the Centre will be operational early next year. Watch this space!