Aggressive fever-reducing therapy to protect the brains of children with CNS malaria
Official title: Aggressive antipyretics for neuroprotection and mortality reduction in CNS malaria: A Randomized-Controlled Trial
Funded at University of Rochester · NIH-11604407 · Data updated 2026-11-12
A study planned for children with CNS malaria will test whether aggressive fever-reducing treatment can lower death and brain-related problems.
Quick facts
| Grant type | NIH-funded research |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | University of Rochester NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Rochester, United States) |
| Project start | September 1, 2026 |
| Project end | August 31, 2027 |
| Funding year | 2026 |
| Award (this year) | $6,995 |
| NIH project number | 3R34AI198088-01S6 |
| Project ID | NIH-11604407 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Ideal candidates are children with CNS malaria being treated in participating African sites where the trial will take place.
✕Less likely to help
Children without CNS malaria or those not meeting trial criteria may not benefit from this specific intervention.
What this research studies
This project lays the groundwork for a multi-country clinical trial in Malawi, Zambia, and the DRC to see if giving very strong fever-lowering treatment alongside standard care can help prevent death and long-term brain injury in kids with CNS malaria. It will prepare study sites, standardize procedures, and outline how to recruit and follow participants, with a focus on safety and clear outcomes. The work is designed to move toward a large randomized trial that could change how CNS malaria is managed in children. If successful, families could benefit from fewer severe complications and better long-term health for their children.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, the approach could reduce mortality and improve neurological outcomes in children affected by CNS malaria.
How similar studies have gone: Previous related trials suggest that managing body temperature aggressively may influence outcomes in CNS infections, but this plan advances to a larger, multinational trial.
Where this research is happening
-
University of Rochester
Rochester, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Birbeck, Gretchen L. — University of Rochester
- Study coordinator: Birbeck, Gretchen L.
Related research
Other NIH-funded projects on the same topics.
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Aggressive fever-reducing therapy to protect brains in children with CNS malaria
A plan to test whether giving strong fever-reducing medications to children with central nervous system malaria can lower death and brain injury.
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Aggressive fever-fighting treatment to protect the brain in kids with CNS malaria
A plan to test whether giving strong fever-reducing treatment alongside standard care can lower death and brain injury in children with CNS malaria.
-
Aggressive fever-reducing treatment to protect brains in kids with CNS malaria
A plan to test whether giving strong fever-reducing medicine alongside standard malaria treatment can lower deaths and brain injuries in children with CNS malaria.
-
Aggressive fever-reducing treatment to protect the brain in children with CNS malaria
A study tests whether giving strong fever-reducing medicines alongside standard care can lower death and brain-related problems in children with severe malaria affecting the brain.
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Aggressive fever-reducing therapy to protect the brain in children with CNS malaria
This project plans a large, multi-country trial to test whether aggressive fever control helps reduce death and brain injury in African children with CNS malaria.
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Using mosquito bite biomarkers to check how well permethrin-treated baby wraps prevent malaria
Smarter protection for young children in Africa: this study looks at whether permethrin-treated baby wraps reduce malaria and uses a mosquito saliva biomarker to understand how the protection works.
About this research
- This is an active NIH-funded research project — typically early-stage science, not a clinical trial accepting patient enrollment.
- Some NIH-funded labs run parallel clinical studies or seek volunteers for related work. To check, contact the principal investigator or institution listed above.
- For full project details, budget, and progress reports, visit the official NIH RePORTER page.