Aggressive fever-reducing treatment to protect the brain in 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-11604354 · Data updated 2026-11-12
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.
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) | $39,157 |
| NIH project number | 3R34AI198088-01S2 |
| Project ID | NIH-11604354 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Children with CNS malaria, including those with severe malaria and brain involvement, in participating African sites.
✕Less likely to help
Children without CNS malaria or those not meeting the specific trial criteria may not benefit.
What this research studies
This project prepares for a large, multinational trial to see if aggressive fever control during CNS malaria improves survival and reduces neurodevelopmental sequelae in children. It focuses on kids in Malawi, Zambia, and the DRC, building the needed infrastructure, protocols, and partnerships to run a future randomized trial. The plan is to use a combination of approved fever reducers in a controlled schedule to minimize inflammation and brain injury while watching for safety in young patients. The goal is to translate a potential lifesaving approach into standard care if the results are positive. This is a planning phase that sets the stage for a definitive test in real-world settings where CNS malaria is most deadly.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, the approach could reduce deaths and long-term brain injury in children with CNS malaria.
How similar studies have gone: Previous small trials suggest potential benefit; this plan builds toward a definitive, larger study to confirm effectiveness.
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 the brains of children with CNS malaria
A study planned for children with CNS malaria will test whether aggressive fever-reducing treatment can lower death and brain-related problems.
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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 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.