Hydrocephalus actually means water on the brain. It is a buildup of cerebrospinal fluid in the skull that leads to brain swelling. Hydrocephalus can occur in adults and the elderly, but it’s most common in children. Buildup causes an abnormal stretching of the ventricles and puts abnormal pressure on the brain (Tortora 502).

University of Iowa researchers have discovered that defects in certain cells, which are important to brain development, are linked to hydrocephalus. Hydrocephalus has been treated by brain surgery to remove excess fluids for about 50 years. The University of Iowa researchers have studied immature mouse cells known as precursor cells. These cells play an important part in brain development. The team discovered an imbalance in the process of immature cells growing then dying off which eventually caused hydrocephalus. The team treated the mice with lithium and noticed the cells turning back to normal (Sines).

Three out of every one thousand babies are born with some type of hydrocephalus. Since brain surgeries were used to treat hydrocephalus, this new discovery could reduce the time it takes to heal from the treatment. This discovery can improve the lives of many children, adults, and elderly. This new technique can be the start of treating many more diseases.

Sines, Vonda. “Hydrocephalus Linked to Cell Flaws in Brain Development.” www.news.yahoo.com. N.p., 20 2012. Web. 29 Nov 2012.

Tortora, Gerald J, Bryan Dickerson. Principles of Anatomy and Physiology. 2009.