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The Association Between Neurocysticercosis and Hippocampal Atrophy is Related to Age

Authors :
Victor J. Del Brutto
Hector H. Garcia
Mauricio Zambrano
Naoum P. Issa
Oscar H. Del Brutto
P. Salgado
Julio Lama
Source :
The American Journal of Tropical Medicine and Hygiene. 96:243-248
Publication Year :
2016
Publisher :
American Society of Tropical Medicine and Hygiene, 2016.

Abstract

Neurocysticercosis (NCC) has been associated with hippocampal atrophy, but the prevalence and pathogenic mechanisms implicated in this relationship are unknown. Using a population-based, case–control study design, residents in a rural village (Atahualpa) aged ≥ 40 years with calcified NCC were identified as cases and paired to NCC-free individuals (control subjects) matched by age, sex, and level of education. Cases and control subjects underwent magnetic resonance imaging for hippocampal rating according to the Scheltens' scale for medial temporal atrophy and were interviewed to identify those with a clinical seizure disorder. The prevalence of hippocampal atrophy was compared between cases and control subjects by the use of the McNemar's test for correlated proportions. Seventy-five individuals with calcified NCC and their matched control subjects were included in the analysis. Hippocampal atrophy was noted in 26 (34.7%) cases and nine (12%) control subjects (odds ratio: 4.4; 95% confidence interval: 1.6–14.9, P < 0.0021). Stratification of pairs according to tertiles of age revealed an age-related trend in this association, which became significant only in those aged ≥ 68 years (P = 0.027). Only five cases and one control had recurrent seizures (P = 0.221); three of these five cases had hippocampal atrophy, and the single control subject had normal hippocampi. This study confirms an association between NCC and hippocampal atrophy, and shows that this association is stronger in older age groups. This suggests that NCC-related hippocampal atrophy takes a long time to develop.

Details

ISSN :
14761645 and 00029637
Volume :
96
Database :
OpenAIRE
Journal :
The American Journal of Tropical Medicine and Hygiene
Accession number :
edsair.doi.dedup.....3d2c2dc06a7e172e580a8388234374ba