Changes in free water content and energy metabolism of the brain in experimental hydrocephalus.

In acute and subacute hydrocephalus periventricular oedema is most prominent. At these stages of hydrocephalus, the free water content is increased and the bound water content, to the contrary, significantly decreased in the periventricular white matter. The bioenergetic state is also altered. In the chronic stage the ratio of free-to-bound water content returns to a level near the control value, leading to a decrease of periventricular oedema by formation of alternative pathways of CSF absorption. The bioenergetic state was slightly altered at this stage.