Corticosteroids to Reduce Frequency of Seizures in Neurocysticercosis Patients

Inclusion Criteria: Diagnosed with intraparenchymal NCC with 20 or fewer active cysts, as confirmed by enzyme-linked immunoelectrotransfer blot (EITB) Diagnosed with epilepsy secondary to NCC, with history of one or more spontaneous seizures within the 6 months prior to study entry Willingness to be hospitalized for a minimum of 2 weeks for this study PPD negative OR negative smears for tuberculosis (TB) if PPD positive Willing to use acceptable forms of contraception during the study and for at least 1 month after albendazole therapy Exclusion Criteria: Primary generalized seizures not caused by NCC Subarachnoid or ventricular NCC Any vesicular lesion greater than 2 cm in diameter Previous therapy with albendazole or praziquantel within 2 years of study entry. Patients who have previously received single-dose albendazole for intestinal parasites are not excluded. Intracranial hypertension, as confirmed by CT or MRI History of status epilepticus Focal neurological defects Unstable or consistently abnormal vital signs (e.g., body temperature, pulse, respiratory rate, blood pressure) Cysts in critical regions, including brainstem or the eyes Pulmonary TB History of TB in the patient or history of TB in close contact of patient Chest x-ray suggestive of past or current TB Diabetes Systemic conditions (e.g., chronic kidney failure, liver disease, heart failure, steroid-dependent immune diseases) other than NCC that may interfere with the study Predicted survival time of less than 1 year Inability to undergo CT or MRI Hypersensitivity to albendazole, antiepileptic drugs, or contrast Hypertension at rest Require corticosteroids, received corticosteroids in the 4 weeks prior to study entry, or received corticosteroids for 9 or more days within the 6 months prior to study entry Other CNS processes that may interfere with study assessments Pregnancy or breastfeeding