Founded: 2005

The Hydrocephalus and Neuroscience Institute formally known as Wade’s Center for Hydrocephalus was organized by Dr. Jogi Pattisapu to conduct research into the underlying cause of hydrocephalus. The lab, which has a primary research focus of understanding cerebrospinal fluid circulation and developing new strategies and novel treatments for hydrocephalus is located at UCF Burnett School of Biomedical Sciences. For the past two and a half years, the lab team has been investigating therapeutic interventions, alternative CSF pathways, and molecular alterations using a congenital rodent model of hydrocephalus.

Hydrocephalus occurs at a high frequency (up to 1 per 500 live human births), and provides the main impetus for a detailed investigation of this fluid pathway. Furthermore, studies have demonstrated that fetal CSF is vital to normal development of the cerebral cortex. Shunting, although relieving the high pressure due to fluid accumulation, does not reinstate normal flow.

Thus, it is vital to understand the normal functional anatomy of the CSF fluid system and how it goes wrong in hydrocephalus, in order to determine the best strategies for treatment and alleviation of the many consequences of fluid obstruction. Our hope is that this research will further the understanding of hydrocephalus, and offer opportunities for improved therapeutic management of this disorder.