Related Experiment Video
Updated: Sep 17, 2025
07:29
Real-time Analysis of Gut-brain Neural Communication: Cortex wide Calcium Dynamics in Response to Intestinal Glucose Stimulation
Published on: December 29, 2023
758
Cestode larvae excite host neuronal circuits via glutamatergic signalling
Anja de Lange1,2,3, Hayley Tomes1,2,3, Joshua S Selfe1,2,3
1Division of Cell Biology, Department of Human Biology, Faculty of Health Sciences, University of Cape Town, Cape Town, South Africa.
Elife
|July 4, 2025
Summary
Neurocysticercosis (NCC) larvae release excitatory amino acids like glutamate, directly exciting neurons and potentially causing seizures. This parasitic brain infection
Area of Science:
- Neuroscience
- Parasitology
- Infectious Diseases
Background:
- Neurocysticercosis (NCC) is a major parasitic brain infection and a leading cause of epilepsy.
- The direct impact of parasitic cestode larvae on neuronal function remains poorly understood.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the direct effects of Taenia solium larvae products on neuronal activity.
- To elucidate the mechanisms underlying larval-induced neuronal excitation and seizure generation.
Main Methods:
- Whole-cell patch-clamp electrophysiology and calcium imaging in rodent and human brain slices.
- Analysis of larval homogenate and excretory/secretory products.
- Utilized glutamate-sensing fluorescent reporters (iGluSnFR) and amino acid assays.
Main Results:
- Cestode larval products induce acute neuronal excitation and seizure-like events in vitro.
- This excitation is mediated by glutamate receptor activation.
- Larvae of Taenia crassiceps and Taenia solium contain and release high concentrations of glutamate and aspartate.
Conclusions:
- Excitatory amino acids released by Taenia larvae directly affect neuronal activity.
- Glutamatergic signaling disruption is implicated in seizure generation in NCC.
- This study provides mechanistic insights into how parasitic infections cause neurological symptoms.
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