Neural Tube Defect (NTD) is a severe pathology of abnormal development of the brain and and spinal cord during human fetal development. Two main manifestations of this pathology are spina bifida and hydrocephalus. Since 2005 World Health Organisation (WHO) does not consider NTD pathologies to be the reason for pregnancy abortion as they are treatable now. However, the knowledge about the best practices to help the patients with hydrocephalus is still incomplete. The knowledge should be improved in the areas of treating the patients with hydrocephalus who have become adults. The aim of this project is to improve professional knowledge of those contributing to the research directed to improve the quality of life of the patients. This is represented by following objectives: 1. To exchange knowledge on the research practices in the field of personalisation of hydrocephalus treatments as this is a rare disease and there is only scarce information available. 2. To develop a framework for further cooperation projects in this field. This is a pilot project which is aimed at developing methodologies for the cooperation in this field and developing skills to use in further projects.
Hydrocephalus is a disease described by pathological accumulation of cerebrospinal fluid inside a head. This results in increased intercranial pressure and, therefore, influences patients’ everyday activities. Treatment for the condition is available, but methods for predicting treatment outcomes and, therefore, personalising it are not. Providing more precise and personalised treatment to such patients would allow to significantly improve outcomes and quality of life of the patients. “Kelluke” association and partner organisations benefited from improving analytical skills and developing the practices for developing such international cooperation projects in this field. For “Kelluke” the project brought benefits as they work towards their organisational aims on improving the quality of life of the patients with hydrocephalus. Project partners benefited from bringing new treatment methods into respective countries of the partner organisations.