Neurocysticercosis: Isolated Lesion in the Left Middle Frontal Gyrus

Abstract

Abstract Objective Neurocysticercosis (NCC) is one of the most common parasitic infections of the central nervous system. We present a case study of a 21-year-old African man with an isolated NCC lesion to the left middle frontal gyrus, which is also known as the dorsolateral prefrontal cortex (dlPFC). Method A neuropsychological evaluation was requested by the patient’s inpatient psychiatry team regarding worsening attention and depressive symptoms approximately 6 months after NCC diagnosis and treatment. Results Neuropsychological findings revealed deficits in the aspects of executive functioning, attention, working memory, and significant depressive symptoms. Conclusion To our knowledge, this is the first case study of its kind demonstrating deficits in cognitive functioning consistent with the dlPFC lesion location. Sociocultural and linguistic considerations, clinical findings, and limitations are discussed.