Understanding coma in cerebral malaria and the brain chemistry behind it
Official title: Defining the mechanism of coma in cerebral malaria
Funded at Albert Einstein College of Medicine · NIH-11377368 · Data updated 2026-11-12
Researchers are studying why some children with cerebral malaria fall into coma, focusing on a brain chemical called pipecolic acid and how it might affect brain activity.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Albert Einstein College of Medicine NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Bronx, United States) |
| Project start | July 8, 2022 |
| Project end | June 30, 2027 |
| Funding year | 2026 |
| Award (this year) | $529,226 |
| NIH project number | 5R01AI164864-05 |
| Project ID | NIH-11377368 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Children with cerebral malaria or other severe malaria presentations, especially those under age 12, in settings where CM is treated.
✕Less likely to help
Patients without cerebral malaria or those not exposed to the studied parasite models may not benefit directly.
What this research studies
Cerebral malaria can cause coma and has high risks for children. The project looks at pipecolic acid levels in blood and cerebrospinal fluid to see if they are linked to coma in malaria cases. It uses animal models to compare different malaria strains and tests whether pipecolic acid affects brain function through GABA receptors. The study also aims to map how pipecolic acid is made and whether it helps parasites cope with stress.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this work could lead to new targets for treatments that prevent or lessen coma in cerebral malaria.
How similar studies have gone: Previous work has linked pipecolic acid to coma in animal models and malaria biology, with some studies suggesting a role in brain function.
Where this research is happening
-
Albert Einstein College of Medicine
Bronx, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Daily, Johanna Patricia — Albert Einstein College of Medicine
- Study coordinator: Daily, Johanna Patricia
Related research
Other NIH-funded projects on the same topics.
-
Understanding Coma in Children with Cerebral Malaria
This research aims to discover why children with cerebral malaria fall into a coma by looking at a specific chemical in their blood.
-
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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.