Drugs for treating neurocysticercosis (tapeworm infection of the brain)

Abstract

There is insufficient evidence to assess whether cysticidal therapy in neurocysticerosis is associated with beneficial effects.

Neurocysticercosis in the United States

“…39 Treatment advocates point to the reduction of seizures and the ability to manage the dying parasites in a controlled setting along with antiinflammatory medications. 41 In addition, antiparasitic treatment may lead to severe cerebral inflammation. Alternatively, some authors have argued that killing the parasites does not alter the long term control of seizures in that cysts often die without causing symptoms.…”

Neurocysticercosis in the United States

“…39 Treatment advocates point to the reduction of seizures and the ability to manage the dying parasites in a controlled setting along with antiinflammatory medications. 41 In addition, antiparasitic treatment may lead to severe cerebral inflammation. Alternatively, some authors have argued that killing the parasites does not alter the long term control of seizures in that cysts often die without causing symptoms.…”

Role of antiparasitic therapy for seizures and resolution of lesions in neurocysticercosis patients: An 8 year randomised study

“…12 Two previous randomised clinical trials carried out in India on antiparasitic therapy versus placebo for neurocysticercosis have not shown any clinical benefit of antiparasitic therapy. 13,14 Another previous study has shown that natural resolution of lesions can occur with in 2 years.…”

Conservative management of neurocysticercosis in a patient with hematopoietic stem cell transplantation: a case report and review

“…A study from India, in which patients with multiple parenchymal cysts were treated either with anthelmintics, corticosteroids and anti‐epileptics, or with anti‐epileptics alone, reported a higher rate of cyst resolution and fewer seizures in the follow‐up period in patients receiving anti‐epileptics alone . Reviewing these and similar studies , a Cochrane Database review on drugs for treatment of neurocysticercosis concluded that insufficient evidence existed to ascribe beneficial effects to anthelmintics in the treatment of parenchymal neurocysticercosis .…”

Neurocysticercosis in the United States

“…39 Treatment advocates point to the reduction of seizures and the ability to manage the dying parasites in a controlled setting along with antiinflammatory medications. 41 In addition, antiparasitic treatment may lead to severe cerebral inflammation. Alternatively, some authors have argued that killing the parasites does not alter the long term control of seizures in that cysts often die without causing symptoms.…”

Role of antiparasitic therapy for seizures and resolution of lesions in neurocysticercosis patients: An 8 year randomised study

“…12 Two previous randomised clinical trials carried out in India on antiparasitic therapy versus placebo for neurocysticercosis have not shown any clinical benefit of antiparasitic therapy. 13,14 Another previous study has shown that natural resolution of lesions can occur with in 2 years.…”

Conservative management of neurocysticercosis in a patient with hematopoietic stem cell transplantation: a case report and review

“…A study from India, in which patients with multiple parenchymal cysts were treated either with anthelmintics, corticosteroids and anti‐epileptics, or with anti‐epileptics alone, reported a higher rate of cyst resolution and fewer seizures in the follow‐up period in patients receiving anti‐epileptics alone . Reviewing these and similar studies , a Cochrane Database review on drugs for treatment of neurocysticercosis concluded that insufficient evidence existed to ascribe beneficial effects to anthelmintics in the treatment of parenchymal neurocysticercosis .…”

Neurocysticercosis in the United States

“…39 Treatment advocates point to the reduction of seizures and the ability to manage the dying parasites in a controlled setting along with antiinflammatory medications. 41 In addition, antiparasitic treatment may lead to severe cerebral inflammation. Alternatively, some authors have argued that killing the parasites does not alter the long term control of seizures in that cysts often die without causing symptoms.…”

Role of antiparasitic therapy for seizures and resolution of lesions in neurocysticercosis patients: An 8 year randomised study

“…12 Two previous randomised clinical trials carried out in India on antiparasitic therapy versus placebo for neurocysticercosis have not shown any clinical benefit of antiparasitic therapy. 13,14 Another previous study has shown that natural resolution of lesions can occur with in 2 years.…”

Conservative management of neurocysticercosis in a patient with hematopoietic stem cell transplantation: a case report and review

“…A study from India, in which patients with multiple parenchymal cysts were treated either with anthelmintics, corticosteroids and anti‐epileptics, or with anti‐epileptics alone, reported a higher rate of cyst resolution and fewer seizures in the follow‐up period in patients receiving anti‐epileptics alone . Reviewing these and similar studies , a Cochrane Database review on drugs for treatment of neurocysticercosis concluded that insufficient evidence existed to ascribe beneficial effects to anthelmintics in the treatment of parenchymal neurocysticercosis .…”