Cysticercosis is a parasitic infection caused by the larvae of the pork tapeworm, Taenia solium. When a person ingests the eggs of the tapeworm, the larvae can migrate to various tissues in the body, including the brain.
In the brain, the larvae develop into cysts, known as neurocysticercosis. These cysts can cause inflammation and damage to the surrounding brain tissue. If a cyst is located in a critical area of the brain responsible for controlling seizures, it can disrupt the normal electrical activity and lead to the development of epilepsy.
Epilepsy is a neurological disorder characterized by recurrent seizures, which are abnormal bursts of electrical activity in the brain. The presence of cysts in the brain can trigger these abnormal electrical discharges, leading to seizures. The severity and frequency of seizures can vary depending on the number and location of the cysts in the brain.
It is important to note that not all individuals with neurocysticercosis develop epilepsy. The risk of epilepsy development depends on various factors, including the number and size of cysts, their location in the brain, and the individual's immune response to the infection.