Also known as water on the brain, hydrocephalus is caused by a surplus of cerebral spinal fluid (CSF) that increases pressure inside the skull and can damage brain tissue. About 40% of hydrocephalus cases are caused by single gene mutations which impact the brain’s ability to reabsorb CSF fluid.

The most common treatment for hydrocephalus is surgery to create a shunt that drains the fluid. This is invasive and can cause adverse effects such as infection.