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In Vivo Tracking of Edema Development and Microvascular Pathology in a Model of Experimental Cerebral Malaria Using Magnetic Resonance Imaging
Published on: June 8, 2017
Cerebral malaria: a new way forward with magnetic resonance imaging (MRI)
Sornchai Looareesuwan1, Jiraporn Laothamatas, Truman R Brown
1Department of Clinical Tropical Medicine and Hospital for Tropical Diseases, Faculty of Tropical Medicine, Mahidol University, Bangkok, Thailand.
Abstract:
Magnetic resonance studies offer a new way through the impasse that now seems to block further progress in disentangling the pathogenesis and improving the treatment of cerebral malaria, a catastrophic neurologic complication of infection with Plasmodium falciparum. The underlying mechanisms responsible for coma in cerebral malaria are still unknown and the relative contributions of the microvascular sequestration of infected erythrocytes, the inflammatory response to P. falciparum, disordered hemostasis, and other factors remain controversial. For more than a century, neuropathologic studies have provided the basis for concepts of causation of cerebral malaria. Magnetic resonance techniques now offer non-invasive means of determining essential anatomic, metabolic, biochemical, and functional features of the brain in patients with cerebral malaria during life that could transform our understanding of the pathogenesis of cerebral malaria and lead to the development of new neuroprotective treatments.
Insights
Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) offers a novel approach to understanding cerebral malaria (CM) pathogenesis. These non-invasive brain imaging techniques can reveal key features, paving the way for new neuroprotective treatments.
Area of Science:
- Neurology
- Infectious Diseases
- Medical Imaging
Background:
- Cerebral malaria (CM) is a severe neurologic complication of Plasmodium falciparum infection.
- The precise mechanisms causing CM and coma remain poorly understood.
- Current understanding relies heavily on traditional neuropathologic studies.
Purpose of the Study:
- To explore the potential of magnetic resonance (MR) techniques in advancing CM research.
- To overcome limitations in current diagnostic and therapeutic strategies for CM.
- To investigate the brain's anatomic, metabolic, biochemical, and functional characteristics in live CM patients.
Main Methods:
- Utilizing advanced magnetic resonance (MR) imaging techniques.
- Non-invasive assessment of brain features in patients with cerebral malaria.
- Integrating MR findings with existing knowledge of CM pathogenesis.
Main Results:
- MR studies provide a new non-invasive window into the brain during cerebral malaria.
- These techniques can identify critical anatomic, metabolic, biochemical, and functional brain features.
- This approach offers a transformative potential for understanding CM pathogenesis.
Conclusions:
- Magnetic resonance studies represent a significant advancement in cerebral malaria research.
- Non-invasive MR imaging can elucidate unknown mechanisms of CM.
- This research may lead to the development of novel neuroprotective therapies for cerebral malaria.
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These technologies include computerized axial tomography (CAT or CT scans), positron-emission tomography (PET scans), magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI), and Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation (TMS).