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Plasmodium falciparum malaria is the most important parasitic disease infecting the central nervous system of humans worldwide. The pathogenesis of the neurological complications of falciparum malaria remains unclear. In particular, how do asexual parasites confined to the vascular space of the brain cause neuronal impairment? The evidence for a breakdown in the blood-brain barrier (BBB) is conflicting. In some animal models of malaria, there is evidence of breakdown of the BBB, but the data from humans suggests the BBB is mildly impaired only, with few morphological changes. Whether these changes in the BBB are sufficient to account for the neurological complications remains to be determined.

Original publication

DOI

10.1111/j.1365-3156.2004.01366.x

Type

Journal article

Journal

Trop Med Int Health

Publication Date

03/2005

Volume

10

Pages

285 - 292

Keywords

Animals, Blood-Brain Barrier, Disease Models, Animal, Humans, Malaria, Cerebral, Mice