Quantification of Amino Acid Neurotransmitters in Cerebrospinal Fluid of Patients with Neurocysticercosis

Abstract

Background : Neurocysticercosis is a parasitic disease that affects the central nervous system. Its main clinical manifestations are epileptic seizures. The objective of this study was to investigate the correlation between neurotransmitter concentrations in cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) and the different evolutive forms of neurocysticercosis with or without seizures. Methods : Neurotransmitter concentrations (Aspartate, Glutamate, GABA, Glutamine, Glycine, Taurine) were determined in CSF samples from 42 patients with neurocysticercosis divided into patients with the active cystic form (n = 24, 12 with and 12 without seizures) and patients with calcified form (n = 18, 12 with and 6 without seizures), and a control group consisting of 59 healthy subjects. Results : Alterations in amino acid concentration were observed in all patients with neurocysticercosis.Conclusion : We conclude that disturbances in amino acid metabolism accompany the presentation of neurocysticercosis. Replacement of the terms inactive cyst by reactive inactive cyst and calcification by reactive calcification is suggested.

Pediatric neurocysticercosis: current challenges and future prospects

“…Biopsy of subcutaneous nodules and radiographs of skeletal muscles to detect calcified cysts (cigar-shaped calcification) may provide corroborative evidence in some cases. Quantification of Fas and amino acid neurotransmitters in CSF of patients with NCC did not reveal any specific pattern; 71 , 72 these tests have a limited utility.…”

Neurocysticercosis in Epileptic Patients Seen in the Emergency Department of the Municipality of Piedade, Sao Paulo

“…The clinical findings are variable and the polymorphic manifestations depend not only on the location, but also on the number of parasites, the developmental stage of the cysticerci (viable or calcified), and host characteristics. The cerebral calcifications observed in the present study represent a serious health problem since they can cause irreversible changes in the patient and may require treatment and medication use throughout life [7,8]. The diagnosis of NCC is made by a combination of immunological methods and neuroimaging techniques [9][10][11][12].…”

Navigating Neural Landscapes: A Comprehensive Review of Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI) and Magnetic Resonance Spectroscopy (MRS) Applications in Epilepsy

“…MRS, by enabling the measurement of changes in these neurotransmitters, offers valuable insights into the underlying mechanisms of epileptic activity. This aspect of MRS contributes significantly to advancing our understanding of the neurochemical intricacies that drive epilepsy [ 11 ].…”