RAD Associate Fellow
Geneva University Hospital
Dr Rahel Park is supporting a RAD International Hub project with Geneva University Hospital investigating normal pressure hydrocephalus (NPH) – the leading cause of reversible dementia in aging. NPH is caused by altered cerebrospinal fluid dynamics bringing about increased cerebrospinal fluid in the lateral ventricles, distortion of brain tissue, with ensuing neurological symptoms. However, the precise etiology and pathophysiology of idiopathic type NPH still largely remains unclear.
Gut bacteria have been shown to play a role among others in Parkinson’s disease, Alzheimer’s disease and amyotrophic lateral sclerosis, but the involvement of gut microbiota in NPH has never been investigated. Dr Park is investigating potential links between gut microbiome composition and its metabolites and the pathophysiology of NPH.