Tapeworm larvae in the brain: cellular mechanisms of epilepsy in neurocysticercosis

Cerebral infection by the larvae of the cestode, Taenia solium (neurocysticercosis), is thought to be the leading cause of adult-acquired epilepsy worldwide. Despite this, little is known about the cellular mechanisms that underlie seizure development in this condition. In this talk I will present our recent data exploring multiple interactions between cestode larvae, neuroinflammatory processes and network excitability. We find that viable cestode larvae are able to strongly suppress microglial activation and inflammatory cytokine release with consequences for the modulation host neuroinflammatory responses and seizure development in vivo. At the same time, larvae produce and release glutamate, with acute excitatory effects on neuronal circuits. We hope that an improved understanding of epileptogenic mechanisms in neurocysticercosis will one day improve the management of this condition as well as other inflammatory causes of epilepsy.