Olivia Thomas

2026 Next Generation Scientists Travel Award

Olivia Thomas

Medical Student at University of Toledo College of Medicine and Life Sciences

Project Title: Neuropsychiatric Symptoms Associated with Ventriculoperitoneal Shunts: A Multicenter Trinetx Analysis

Recent reports have shown that some patients with VP shunt-treated hydrocephalus develop changes in behavior, thinking, or movement seemingly without explanation. These symptoms may sometimes be mistaken for primary psychiatric or neurological conditions rather than being recognized as potentially related to the shunt placement and its effects on brain pathways.

Our research uses a large multi-institutional medical database to examine the frequency of certain neuropsychiatric symptoms that appear after VP shunt placement or revision. By evaluating patterns across thousands of patients, we hope to better understand whether there may be a clinical phenomenon associated with shunt treatment. Improving awareness of these potential effects may help clinicians recognize symptoms earlier and consider a shunt-associated cause, helping to provide better care for people living with hydrocephalus.