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Updated: Jun 17, 2026
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: why experimental murine models are required to understand the pathogenesis of disease
J Brian de Souza1, Julius C R Hafalla, Eleanor M Riley
1Immunology Unit, Department of Infectious and Tropical Diseases, London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine, Keppel Street, London WC1E 7HT, UK.
Abstract:
Cerebral malaria is a life-threatening complication of malaria infection. The pathogenesis of cerebral malaria is poorly defined and progress in understanding the condition is severely hampered by the inability to study in detail, ante-mortem, the parasitological and immunological events within the brain that lead to the onset of clinical symptoms. Experimental murine models have been used to investigate the sequence of events that lead to cerebral malaria, but there is significant debate on the merits of these models and whether their study is relevant to human disease. Here we review the current understanding of the parasitological and immunological events leading to human and experimental cerebral malaria, and explain why we believe that studies with experimental models of CM are crucial to define the pathogenesis of the condition.
Insights
Cerebral malaria is a severe complication of malaria. Understanding its pathogenesis requires studying brain events, and experimental models are crucial for this research.
Area of Science:
- Neuroscience
- Immunology
- Infectious Diseases
Background:
- Cerebral malaria (CM) is a life-threatening complication of malaria.
- The pathogenesis of CM is not well understood.
- Studying ante-mortem brain events in humans is challenging.
Purpose of the Study:
- To review current understanding of CM pathogenesis.
- To discuss the role of experimental models in CM research.
- To highlight the importance of murine models for defining CM pathogenesis.
Main Methods:
- Literature review of human and experimental CM studies.
- Analysis of parasitological and immunological events in the brain.
- Discussion of the relevance of experimental models to human disease.
Main Results:
- The pathogenesis of CM remains poorly defined.
- There is ongoing debate regarding the utility of experimental models.
- Experimental models offer crucial insights into CM pathogenesis.
Conclusions:
- Further research using experimental models is essential for understanding CM pathogenesis.
- Experimental models are vital for defining the immunological and parasitological events leading to CM.
- Bridging the gap between experimental findings and human disease is critical.
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