Unique Characteristics of Epilepsy Development in Neurocysticercosis

Am J Trop Med Hyg. 2020 Aug;103(2):639-645. doi: 10.4269/ajtmh.19-0485. Epub 2020 May 14.

Abstract

The parasitic helminth infection neurocysticercosis (NCC) is the most common cause of adult-acquired epilepsy in the world. Despite the serious consequences of epilepsy due to this infection, an in-depth review of the distinct characteristics of epilepsy due to neurocysticercosis has never been conducted. In this review, we evaluate the relationship between NCC and epilepsy and the unique characteristics of epilepsy caused by NCC. We also discuss recent advances in our understanding of NCC-related epilepsy, including the importance of anti-inflammatory therapies, the association between NCC and temporal lobe epilepsy, and the recent discovery of biomarkers of severe epilepsy development in individuals with NCC and seizures.

Publication types

  • Research Support, N.I.H., Extramural
  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't
  • Review

MeSH terms

  • Brain / diagnostic imaging
  • Brain / immunology
  • Brain / physiopathology*
  • Calcinosis / diagnostic imaging
  • Calcinosis / immunology
  • Calcinosis / physiopathology
  • Cytokines / immunology
  • Epilepsy / etiology
  • Epilepsy / immunology
  • Epilepsy / physiopathology*
  • Hippocampus / diagnostic imaging
  • Hippocampus / immunology
  • Hippocampus / pathology
  • Hippocampus / physiopathology
  • Humans
  • Inflammation / immunology
  • Inflammation / physiopathology
  • Neurocysticercosis / complications
  • Neurocysticercosis / diagnostic imaging
  • Neurocysticercosis / immunology
  • Neurocysticercosis / physiopathology*
  • Risk Factors
  • Sclerosis

Substances

  • Cytokines