Single-cell elderly blood-CSF atlas implicates peripherally influenced immune dysregulation in normal pressure hydrocephalus

Proc Natl Acad Sci U S A. 2025 May 13;122(19):e2412159122. doi: 10.1073/pnas.2412159122. Epub 2025 May 5.

Abstract

We have generated a single-cell RNA sequencing atlas of peripheral blood and ventricular CSF in idiopathic normal pressure hydrocephalus (iNPH) patients totaling 140,207 single-cell transcriptomes. We found proinflammatory alterations in peripheral blood and CSF monocytes in iNPH patients with lower baseline cognitive function. We also identified CSF cell populations likely representing periventricular sloughing of degenerating neuroglial cells. Our findings suggest possible immune dysregulation in the blood and CSF of iNPH patients.

MeSH terms

  • Aged
  • Aged, 80 and over
  • Female
  • Humans
  • Hydrocephalus, Normal Pressure* / blood
  • Hydrocephalus, Normal Pressure* / cerebrospinal fluid
  • Hydrocephalus, Normal Pressure* / genetics
  • Hydrocephalus, Normal Pressure* / immunology
  • Male
  • Monocytes / immunology
  • Monocytes / metabolism
  • Single-Cell Analysis
  • Transcriptome