Jayne Crouthamel

2026 Next Generation Scientists Travel Award

Jayne Crouthamel

Research Technician at Virginia Commonwealth University School of Medicine

Project Title: The Effects of Hydrocephalus on Cerebellar and Brainstem Size and the Subsequent Effects on Gait and Balance

Hydrocephalus is a condition characterized by a buildup of cerebrospinal fluid which expands the ventricles and causes compression of brain structures, such as the brainstem and cerebellum. These structures mediate important motor functions, such as balance, walking, and muscle tone, which are often affected if hydrocephalus is not treated properly or if shunting fails. Using an experimental model of hydrocephalus, we studied the effects of an enlarged 4th ventricle, which lies between the brainstem and cerebellum. Brainstem diameters were smaller in shunt and endoscopic third ventriculostomy + choroid plexus cauterization compared to non-hydrocephalic cases. Our results suggest that brainstem compression occurs in hydrocephalus and should be considered when patients are evaluated for clinical signs of hydrocephalus, especially during treatment failures.