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. 2023 Aug 17;17(8):e0011523.
doi: 10.1371/journal.pntd.0011523. eCollection 2023 Aug.

The onchocerciasis hypothesis of nodding syndrome

Robert Colebunders  1 , Amber Hadermann  1 , Joseph Nelson Siewe Fodjo  1
Affiliations

The onchocerciasis hypothesis of nodding syndrome

Robert Colebunders et al. PLoS Negl Trop Dis. .

Abstract

Nodding syndrome (NS) is a phenotypic presentation of onchocerciasis-associated epilepsy (OAE). OAE is an important public health problem in areas with high ongoing Onchocerca volvulus transmission. OAE, including NS, is preventable by strengthening onchocerciasis elimination programs. The presence of tau in OAE postmortem brains could be the consequence of neuroinflammation directly or indirectly induced by O. volvulus. Omics research is needed to investigate whether O. volvulus worms contain a neurotropic virus.

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Conflict of interest statement

The authors have declared that no competing interests exist.

Figures

Fig 1
Fig 1. Onchocerciasis hypothesis of OAE, including NS.
BBB, blood–brain barrier; ESP, excretory and secretory product; mf, microfilaria; NS, nodding syndrome; OV, Onchocerca volvulus.
See this image and copyright information in PMC

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