Understanding Coma in Children with Cerebral Malaria
Official title: Defining the mechanism of coma in cerebral malaria
Funded at Albert Einstein College of Medicine · NIH-11122225 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This research aims to discover why children with cerebral malaria fall into a coma by looking at a specific chemical in their blood.
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 | 2025 |
| Award (this year) | $525,866 |
| NIH project number | 5R01AI164864-04 |
| Project ID | NIH-11122225 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
This research focuses on understanding cerebral malaria in children, particularly those aged 0-11 years who experience coma due to the infection.
✕Less likely to help
Patients with other causes of coma or those who do not have cerebral malaria would not directly benefit from this specific research.
What this research studies
This project explores why some children with severe malaria develop a coma, a serious complication that can be life-threatening. We have found high levels of a chemical called pipecolic acid (PA) in the blood of children with cerebral malaria. This research will investigate if high PA levels in the brain cause the coma by affecting brain signals. We will also study how the malaria parasite produces PA and if PA helps the parasite survive, which could reveal new targets for treatment.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this work could lead to new ways to prevent or treat coma in children with cerebral malaria, potentially saving lives and improving recovery.
How similar studies have gone: Previous studies in animal models have suggested that pipecolic acid can induce coma and affect brain receptors, providing a basis for this novel investigation into cerebral malaria.
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
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Understanding coma in cerebral malaria and the brain chemistry behind it
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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.