What are the main symptoms of normal pressure hydrocephalus?

Normal pressure hydrocephalus (NPH) is characterized primarily by a classic triad of symptoms: cognitive dysfunction, gait disturbances, and urinary incontinence. Individuals with NPH often exhibit apathy and inattention, which are reflective of cognitive decline. The gait disturbance is typically described as a shuffling walk or difficulty in balance, and urinary incontinence often occurs later in the disease course.

This clarity on symptoms helps differentiate NPH from other conditions with overlapping symptoms. For instance, memory loss and confusion can be associated with various forms of dementia or other neurological disorders, which may explain the incorrect match in another option. Seizures are not a classical symptom of NPH, further clarifying the distinction.

In contrast, hypertension, bradycardia, and headache are symptoms often associated with conditions like increased intracranial pressure or hypertension-related issues, but they do not specifically relate to NPH. Similarly, visual disturbances and tremors, while relevant in other neurological conditions, do not form part of the symptomatology for NPH. Recognizing these specific symptom patterns aids in accurate identification and diagnosis of NPH, and thus focusing on apathy, inattention, and urinary incontinence reflects an understanding of the condition’s hallmark features.