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Updated: Dec 29, 2025
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
Molecular targets in cerebral malaria for developing novel therapeutic strategies
Ravisankar Vanka1, Venkata Prasuja Nakka2, Simhadri Praveen Kumar3
1Department of Pharmaceutics, Aditya Pharmacy College, Suramaplem, Gandepalli Mandal, East Godavari, Andhra Pradesh, 533437, India.
Abstract:
Cerebral malaria (CM) is the severe neurological complication associated with Plasmodium falciparum infection. In clinical settings CM is predominantly characterized by fever, epileptic seizures, and asexual forms of parasite on blood smears, coma and even death. Cognitive impairment in the children and adults even after survival is one of the striking consequences of CM. Poor diagnosis often leads to inappropriate malaria therapy which in turn progress into a severe form of disease. Activation of multiple cell death pathways such as Inflammation, oxidative stress, apoptosis and disruption of blood brain barrier (BBB) plays critical role in the pathogenesis of CM and secondary brain damage. Thus, understanding such mechanisms of neuronal cell death might help to identify potential molecular targets for CM. Mitigation strategies for mortality rate and long-term cognitive deficits caused by existing anti-malarial drugs still remains a valid research question to ask. In this review, we discuss in detail about critical neuronal cell death mechanisms and the overall significance of adjunctive therapy with recent trends, which provides better insight towards establishing newer therapeutic strategies for CM.
Insights
Cerebral malaria (CM) is a severe neurological complication of Plasmodium falciparum infection. Understanding neuronal cell death pathways and adjunctive therapies is crucial for developing new treatments to reduce mortality and cognitive deficits.
Area of Science:
- Neurology
- Infectious Diseases
- Pathology
Background:
- Cerebral malaria (CM) is a severe neurological complication of Plasmodium falciparum infection.
- Clinical CM presents with fever, seizures, coma, and potentially death, with cognitive impairment a common sequela.
- Inadequate diagnosis and treatment can exacerbate disease severity.
Purpose of the Study:
- To review critical neuronal cell death mechanisms in CM pathogenesis.
- To explore the significance of adjunctive therapies for CM.
- To identify potential molecular targets for novel therapeutic strategies.
Main Methods:
- Literature review focusing on CM pathogenesis and treatment.
- Detailed discussion of cellular and molecular mechanisms of neuronal injury.
- Analysis of current adjunctive therapy trends and their implications.
Main Results:
- Inflammation, oxidative stress, apoptosis, and blood-brain barrier disruption are key to CM pathogenesis and brain damage.
- Existing antimalarial drugs may not fully mitigate mortality or long-term cognitive deficits.
- Adjunctive therapies show promise in addressing CM's multifaceted pathology.
Conclusions:
- Understanding neuronal cell death pathways in CM is vital for identifying therapeutic targets.
- Further research into adjunctive therapies is needed to improve outcomes and reduce cognitive impairment.
- Developing novel therapeutic strategies is essential for managing CM effectively.
