Cerebral malaria: from pathophysiology to clinical manifestations and treatment

Malaria remains one of the leading infectious causes of death in endemic regions of Africa, with an estimated 579,414 deaths in 2023. Most deaths from severe malaria are due to Plasmodium falciparum and its tendency to affect the central nervous system, with neurological impairment and multiple organ failure. Cerebral malaria is very common in tropical regions of Africa, with a fatal outcome of 47% due to its rapid progression in the absence of adequate treatment and late diagnosis. In this article, we focus on the analysis and interpretation of the latest data from the previous 5 years regarding the pathophysiological, clinical and therapeutic aspects of cerebral malaria in African countries.