A Segmental Copy Number Loss of the SFMBT1 Gene Is a Genetic Risk for Shunt-Responsive, Idiopathic Normal Pressure Hydrocephalus (iNPH): A Case-Control Study

Little is known about genetic risk factors for idiopathic normal pressure hydrocephalus (iNPH). We examined whether a copy number loss in intron 2 of the SFMBT1 gene could be a genetic risk for shunt-responsive, definite iNPH. Quantitative and digital PCR analyses revealed that 26.0% of shunt-responsive definite iNPH patients (n = 50) had such a genetic change, as compared with 4.2% of the healthy elderly (n = 191) (OR = 7.94, 95%CI: 2.82–23.79, p = 1.8 x 10−5) and 6.3% of patients with Parkinson’s disease (n = 32) (OR = 5.18, 95%CI: 1.1–50.8, p = 0.038). The present study demonstrates that a copy number loss within intron 2 of the SFMBT1 gene may be a genetic risk factor for shunt-responsive definite iNPH.