In silico Transcriptomics-based Drug Repositioning in a rat model identifies Vorinostat as a candidate to modulate neuroinflammation in Neurocysticercosis

Although antiparasitic treatment targets the parasite, it often fails to fully resolve symptoms and can exacerbate brain tissue damage. Using a rat model of NCC and transcriptomic profiling, we assessed the effects of infection and treatment on brain gene expression to uncover disease mechanisms and identify therapeutic candidates.

We analyzed transcriptomic profiles at two stages of infection (4- and 6-month post-infection (MPI)), and after treatment at 6 MPI (6 MPI +T). At 6 MPI, fewer immune-related genes and pathways were enriched compared to 4 MPI, likely due to MAPK pathway repression, but immune activation increased significantly after treatment, possibly due to cyst degeneration. Drug repositioning identified 30 candidate drugs.