the severity of leukoencephalopathy varies significantly depending on the specific type and extent of brain damage. Diagnosis often requires advanced imaging techniques like MRI.
Levamisole is an anthelmintic medication, meaning it's used to treat infections caused by parasitic worms. It's commonly used in veterinary medicine to deworm livestock, particularly cattle and pigs. In human medicine, it has been used to treat worm infections, though its use is less widespread due to the availability of option treatments. Historically,it was also investigated for its potential immunomodulatory effects.
The concern arises from a growing number of reported cases of leukoencephalopathy in individuals with a history of levamisole exposure. While a direct causal link hasn't been definitively established, the temporal association and the consistency of the neurological presentation have prompted the EMA to investigate.