Journal
TROPICAL MEDICINE & INTERNATIONAL HEALTH
Volume 11, Issue 4, Pages 386-397Publisher
WILEY
DOI: 10.1111/j.1365-3156.2006.01579.x
Keywords
Plasmodium falciparum; malaria; cognition; systematic review
Funding
- Wellcome Trust [070114] Funding Source: Medline
Ask authors/readers for more resources
OBJECTIVE Systematic review to investigate the relationship between Plasmodium falciparum infection and cognitive function. METHOD We searched MEDLINE, EMBASE and PsycINFO, and hand-searched journals and PhD theses. The inclusion criteria were (1) use of standardized tests for the specific populations and/or appropriate controls; (2) clear differentiation between children and adults. Eighteen studies were eligible, of which three gave information on all cognitive domains considered in the review. RESULTS Deficits in attention, memory, visuo-spatial skills, language and executive functions may occur after malaria infection. These deficits are not only caused by cerebral falciparum malaria, but also appear to occur in less severe infections. P. falciparum seems to affect the brain globally, not in a localised fashion. Outcome depends on both biological and social risk factors. CONCLUSION Future research should seek to establish the extent of these cognitive deficits using culturally appropriate techniques and well-defined criteria of disease.
Authors
I am an author on this paper
Click your name to claim this paper and add it to your profile.
Reviews
Recommended
No Data Available