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Cerebral malaria and epilepsy
Author(s) -
Ngoungou Edgard Brice,
Preux PierreMarie
Publication year - 2008
Publication title -
epilepsia
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 2.687
H-Index - 191
eISSN - 1528-1167
pISSN - 0013-9580
DOI - 10.1111/j.1528-1167.2008.01752.x
Subject(s) - epilepsy , malaria , cerebral malaria , medicine , association (psychology) , psychiatry , pediatrics , intensive care medicine , psychology , plasmodium falciparum , pathology , psychotherapist
SummaryMalaria, one of the most common parasitic diseases worldwide, is responsible for more than one million deaths among African children every year. Its neurological form, known as cerebral malaria (CM) is a potential cause of epilepsy in malaria‐endemic regions of the world, primarily made up for the most part by the sub‐Saharan Africa. Herein, we review recent African studies that examine the association between CM and epilepsy. Three studies suggest a modestly strong association between CM and epilepsy. Furthermore, there appears little doubt that this association is causal. Speculative considerations that may explain this causal association are discussed in this review. Additional research is however required in order to determine the clinical and electrographic behavior, the underlying structural and molecular basis, and course and outcome of this condition.