Neurocysticercosis Association with Cognitive and Aberrant Behavioural Symptoms: A Case Report and Review

Abstract

Neurocysticercosis (NCC) is a leading cause of seizures and epilepsy worldwide. Its clinical manifestations are varied, non specific and pleomorphic, depending on multiple factors. Since NCC mimic large number of neurological disorders, it is important that clinicians should be familiar with these rare presentations to avoid delay in diagnosis and management. We herein describe an unusual case of multiple NCC's involving entire cortex with only cognitive and behavioural manifestations and review pertinent literature.

Neurocysticercosis presenting as psychosis: A case report and a brief literature review

“…Ms Ana had headaches with psychotic symptoms, as recorded in nine other case reports. 6 , 12 , 18 , 23 , 24 , 26 , 30 , 31 Many intracranial infections cause headaches. 32 Most headaches subside once the infection is resolved, but chronic post-infectious headaches can last for months.…”

“…Fourteen case reports showed scattered lesions all over the cerebrum. 6,13,17,18,22,23,26,[28][29][30][31]41,42 Features consistent with cysticercus racemosus were reported by only one case report. 42 Imaging techniques like CT and MRI have considerably improved the accuracy of diagnosing NCC by providing information about the number and location of the lesions.…”

“…Other tests that can be used to diagnose NCC are enzymelinked electroimmunotransfer blot (EITB) as mentioned in previous case reports and enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) test. 22,23,[29][30][31] The EITB has a sensitivity ranging from 90% to 100% and a specificity of 100% in individuals with multiple cysticerci, while the sensitivity drops to 65% in patients with a single cyst. 25 The ELISA test measures immunoglobulin G (IgG) antibodies against either the somatic antigen or the excretory-secretory (ES) antigens.…”

Neuropsychiatric manifestations of some tropical diseases

“…Severity of psychiatric symptoms may correlate with treatment of NCC with anti-parasitic drugs, associated with an increase in CNS inflammation [8]. Among mental changes the most commonly reported ones are confusion, disorientation, memory loss, hallucinations, psychomotor incoordination, progressive deterioration of language ability and mental deterioration [9]. Psychiatric disorders were observed in 65.8% of people, while cognitive decline was observed in 87.5% of patients with NCC.…”

Neurotropic Parasitic Infections Associated With Psychiatric Disorders: A Review Article

“…The severity of psychiatric symptoms was correlated with the use of anti-parasitic medications to treat NCC, associated with an increase in CNS inflammation (Fortenza et al, 1997). Confusion, disorientation, memory loss, hallucinations, psychomotor incoordination, progressive worsening of language ability and mental deterioration were the most reported mental alterations (Verma et al, 2011).…”