The efficacy of different regimens of therapy for parenchymal brain cysticercosis either with praziquantel (PZQ) or with albendazole (ALB) was compared in 114 patients. Four schemes of treatment were used: PZQ 50 mg/kg per day for 15 days, PZQ 50 mg/kg per day for 8 days, ALB 15 mg/kg per day for 30 days, and ALB 15 mg/kg per day for 8 days. Three months after therapy, it was apparent that both PZQ and ALB were effective, as shown by the disappearance of cystic lesions in computed tomographic scans. Thirty-three control patients followed for a mean of 11 months had no spontaneous remission of lesions. When comparing PZQ with ALB, the latter was found to be more effective than the former for both the full and the short course of treatment: 85% vs 60% and 85% vs 48% disappearence of lesions, respectively (P<0.001). comparison="" of="" the="" full="" vs="" the="" short="" course="" of="" pzq="" showed="" that="" the="" short="" course="" had="" a="" further="" 12%="" reduction="" in="" durg="" effectiveness.="" in="" contrast,="" the="" length="" of="" alb="" therapy="" could="" be="" shortened="" without="" lessening="" its="" efficacy.="" based="" on="" these="" results,="" an="" 8-day="" course="" of="" alb="" is="" recommended="" as="" treatment="" for="" parenchymal="" brain="" cysticercosis;="" a="" 15-day="" course="" of="" pzq="" could="" be="" subsequently="" used="" in="" those="" patients="" who="" show="" only="" partial="" response="" to="">