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nytimes.com

Source: nytimes.com

TL;DR

A 72-year-old man's gait suddenly changed to a shuffle noticed by his wife while walking.[[1]](https://www.nytimes.com/2026/04/03/well/shuffle-normal-pressure-hydrocephalus.html)
Tests ruled out Parkinson's and spinal issues after seven years of doctor visits.[[1]](https://www.nytimes.com/2026/04/03/well/shuffle-normal-pressure-hydrocephalus.html)
Normal pressure hydrocephalus diagnosis led to shunt surgery with immediate gait improvement.[[1]](https://www.nytimes.com/2026/04/03/well/shuffle-normal-pressure-hydrocephalus.html)

The story at a glance

A 72-year-old man from Huntington, N.Y., developed a shuffling gait that his wife noticed seven years ago, prompting extensive medical evaluation.[[1]](https://www.nytimes.com/2026/04/03/well/shuffle-normal-pressure-hydrocephalus.html) Multiple specialists tested for spinal stenosis, Parkinson's disease, and other causes, but none explained the symptom until normal pressure hydrocephalus (N.P.H.) was diagnosed.[[1]](https://www.nytimes.com/2026/04/03/well/shuffle-normal-pressure-hydrocephalus.html) The article details the diagnostic journey and successful shunt treatment in Lisa Sanders's Diagnosis column.[[1]](https://www.nytimes.com/2026/04/03/well/shuffle-normal-pressure-hydrocephalus.html)

N.P.H. involves excess cerebrospinal fluid buildup despite normal pressure, causing gait issues, urinary problems, and cognitive changes.[[1]](https://www.nytimes.com/2026/04/03/well/shuffle-normal-pressure-hydrocephalus.html)

Key moments & milestones

Wife notices husband's shuffling gait while walking to restaurant in Huntington, N.Y.[[1]](https://www.nytimes.com/2026/04/03/well/shuffle-normal-pressure-hydrocephalus.html)
Man sees internist, then neurologist; MRI shows spinal stenosis, MRA and DaTscan negative for Parkinson's.[[1]](https://www.nytimes.com/2026/04/03/well/shuffle-normal-pressure-hydrocephalus.html)
Orthopedic surgery on neck stenosis fails to improve gait after physical therapy.[[1]](https://www.nytimes.com/2026/04/03/well/shuffle-normal-pressure-hydrocephalus.html)
Second DaTscan shows small substantia nigra defect; Sinemet trial fails at high dose.[[1]](https://www.nytimes.com/2026/04/03/well/shuffle-normal-pressure-hydrocephalus.html)
Neurosurgeon Kaplitt diagnoses N.P.H.; confirms with lumbar puncture test showing gait improvement.[[1]](https://www.nytimes.com/2026/04/03/well/shuffle-normal-pressure-hydrocephalus.html)
Permanent shunt placed three weeks later; gait improves immediately and profoundly.[[1]](https://www.nytimes.com/2026/04/03/well/shuffle-normal-pressure-hydrocephalus.html)

Signature highlights

Shuffling gait described as hunched, feet barely lifting off ground, resembling sudden aging.[[1]](https://www.nytimes.com/2026/04/03/well/shuffle-normal-pressure-hydrocephalus.html)
Seven years of consultations with multiple neurologists, orthopedists; tests included repeated MRIs, EMGs, blood work.[[1]](https://www.nytimes.com/2026/04/03/well/shuffle-normal-pressure-hydrocephalus.html)
N.P.H. caused by brain's reduced ability to absorb cerebrospinal fluid, leading to ventricle enlargement and symptoms.[[1]](https://www.nytimes.com/2026/04/03/well/shuffle-normal-pressure-hydrocephalus.html)
Lumbar drainage test produced immediate gait improvement, confirming diagnosis despite N.P.H.'s diagnostic challenges.[[1]](https://www.nytimes.com/2026/04/03/well/shuffle-normal-pressure-hydrocephalus.html)
Shunt surgery drains excess fluid; often reverses gait issues if diagnosed timely.[[1]](https://www.nytimes.com/2026/04/03/well/shuffle-normal-pressure-hydrocephalus.html)

Key quotes

“Honey, stop shuffling!” his wife called out; “I’m not shuffling,” he replied.[[1]](https://www.nytimes.com/2026/04/03/well/shuffle-normal-pressure-hydrocephalus.html)

Why it matters

N.P.H. affects older adults, mimicking Parkinson's or dementia but is treatable with shunts if caught early.[[1]](https://www.nytimes.com/2026/04/03/well/shuffle-normal-pressure-hydrocephalus.html) Readers with gait changes, incontinence, or mild cognition issues should seek evaluation for fluid buildup via MRI and drainage tests.[[1]](https://www.nytimes.com/2026/04/03/well/shuffle-normal-pressure-hydrocephalus.html) Watch for neurosurgical advances in shunt precision and less invasive options.[[2]](https://www.nytimes.com/2025/05/23/well/billy-joel-normal-pressure-hydrocephalus.html)