title: On the relationship between neurocysticercosis and mesial temporal lobe epilepsy associated with hippocampal sclerosis: coincidence or a pathogenic relationship?
abstract: Neurocysticercosis (NCC) and mesial temporal lobe epilepsy associated with hippocampal sclerosis (MTLE-HS) are two common worldwide forms of focal epilepsy. In regions where NCC is endemic, both diseases can be observed in the same patient. There is recent and growing evidence suggesting  that NCC might contribute to or even cause MTLE-HS. In this article, we review the literature regarding NCC and temporal lobe epilepsy, specifically addressing the relationship between NCC and MTLE-HS. In addition, we review some scenarios where NCC seems to emerge as a causative agent or  contributor to the development of MTLE-HS in some patients. This association is important because it may have an impact on the evaluation and treatment of a sizable proportion of patients with epilepsy. Insights from these clinical observations might also contribute to the understanding of  the neurobiology of both NCC and MTLE-HS. We hope that our review might shed some light on this interesting interplay between two of the most common worldwide conditions associated with human focal epilepsy.
authors.affiliation: Basic Research and Advanced Investigations in Neurology, Division of Neurology, Hospital de Clínicas de Porto Alegre, Federal University of Rio Grande do Sul, Porto Alegre, RS, Brazil.
authors.forename: Marino Muxfeldt
authors.initials: MM
authors.lastname: Bianchin
authors.forename: Tonicarlo Rodrigues
authors.initials: TR
authors.lastname: Velasco
authors.forename: Antonio Carlos dos
authors.initials: AC
authors.lastname: Santos
authors.forename: Américo Ceiki
authors.initials: AC
authors.lastname: Sakamoto
mesh_terms: D004833:Epilepsy, Temporal Lobe / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000209:etiology*; D006801:Humans; D020019:Neurocysticercosis / Q000150:complications*; D012598:Sclerosis / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000209:etiology*