title: Drugs for treating neurocysticercosis (tapeworm infection of the brain).
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Anthelminthic drugs may shrink brain cysts in neurocysticercosis, but can also cause severe adverse effects.
  
  
  OBJECTIVE
  The objective of this review was to assess the effects of drug treatment in human neurocysticercosis in relation to survival, cyst persistence, subsequent seizures and hydrocephalus.
  
  
  METHODS
  We searched the Cochrane Infectious Diseases Group trials register and Medline. We contacted researchers and experts in the field and drug manufacturers.
  
  
  METHODS
  Randomised or quasi-randomised trials comparing a cysticidal drug with a placebo or a control group receiving symptomatic therapy, in patients with neurocystercosis.
  
  
  METHODS
  Assessment of trial quality and data extraction was done independently by two reviewers.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Four studies involving 305 people met the inclusion criteria. None reported on withdrawal of anticonvulsant therapy, headache relief, disability or death as outcomes. A difference just approaching significance was detected between cysticidal therapy and placebo in relation to cyst persistence up to six months (relative risk 0.83, 95% confidence interval 0.70 to 0.99). Two trials reported on seizures after one to two years follow-up and found no difference (relative risk 0.95, 95% 0.59 to 1.51). There was no difference detected for hydrocephalus (relative risk 2.19, 95% confidence interval 0.29 to 16.55).
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  There is insufficient evidence to assess whether cysticidal therapy in neurocysticerosis is associated with beneficial effects.
authors.affiliation: Departamento de Ciencias Neurologicas, Universidad de Chile, Instituto de Neurocirugia, Avda JM Infante 553, Santiago, Chile.
authors.forename: R
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Salinas
authors.forename: K
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Prasad
mesh_terms: D015766:Albendazole / Q000627:therapeutic use; D000923:Anticestodal Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D001927:Brain Diseases / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000469:parasitology; D006801:Humans; D020019:Neurocysticercosis / Q000188:drug therapy*; D011223:Praziquantel / Q000627:therapeutic use; D014236:Trichlorfon / Q000627:therapeutic use
chemical_list: D000923:Anticestodal Agents; D011223:Praziquantel; D014236:Trichlorfon; D015766:Albendazole