Half a Million Dollars Secured for Hydrocephalus Research

Dr. Jenna Koschnitzky, National Director of Research Programs

In recent years, hydrocephalus researchers have started to link changes in the ependymal layer with the development of hydrocephalus. The ependymal layer is the layer of cells that line the ventricles and separate the cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) from the brain.

Last week, we highlighted a study linking changes in the ependymal layer with the development of postinfectious hydrocephalus. But, the ependymal layer has also been linked to the development of congenital hydrocephalus and posthemorrhagic hydrocephalus of prematurity.

In 2015, the Hydrocephalus Association supported Dr. Michael Piper with a $50,000 Innovator Award to study how ependymal cells develop. We are happy to report that this preliminary work recently resulted in Dr. Piper winning a $500,000 USD ($660,000 AUD) grant from the National Health and Medical Research Council of Australia.

The grant will allow Dr. Piper to continue his research on identifying critical signaling pathways involved with the development of the ependymal layer and identify what goes wrong when congenital hydrocephalus develops.

To read Dr. Piper’s most recent publication, go here: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/29452604