Neurocysticercosis is the result of the interplay between parasites, hormones, and inflammation

Here we review how the nervous, the immune and the endocrine systems interact with Taenia solium and crassiceps cystcerci and influence the course and individualities of the disease that the parasites triggers in humans and animals. In example, a clear sexual dimorphism in cysticercosis has been found in experimental models of the disease, but the influence of gender in human patients needs further investigation. The role of neurosteroids in parenchymal NCC is intriguing and could influence parasite survival and in the inflammatory reaction they cause. The synthesis of steroids by the brain cells and the cysticerci might influence the local immune response elicited by the presence of the parasites. Remarkably, cultured cysticerci can synthesize sex steroids and deoxycorticosterone (DOC) suggesting that these parasites can influence the local brain microenvironment, especially by producing dehydroepiandrosterone (DHEA), estrogens and androgens which could modify the immune response. Treatment of neurocysticercosis includes cysticidal drugs and corticosteroids intended to control the inflammation caused by the parasite, however, these steroids represent a double-edged tool due to their side effects during prolonged administration and also because of some beneficial effects for the parasite itself.