The aetiologies of epilepsy in tropical Africa.

Abstract

The prevention of epilepsy in tropical Africa is highly desirable because of the morbidity, mortality and social ostracisation that is associated with the disease. Such prevention depends on the identification of the aetiologies of epilepsy endemic to the region. There is a need for prospective epidemiological research to elucidate further the role of filariasis, cysticercosis, cerebral malaria and trypanosomiasis in the aetiology of epilepsy in tropical Africa.