Global Research Endeavors to Advance Treatment of Neurological Disorders in Africa (GREAT Neurology)

The burden of neurological disorders disproportionately impacts resource-limited tropical settings resulting in grossly insufficient capacity for care provision or research. This global research program aims to advance our understanding of common neurological disorders in the African context to inform the local prevention and treatment of these conditions while also elucidating pathophysiological processes more broadly relevant. This will be accomplished through the continuation of Dr. Birbeck’s neuro-HIV and cerebral malaria investigations plus support and mentorship for young clinician scientists engaged in a broad range of research endeavors. Research activities include cerebral malaria: in a prospective cohort study of children with CNS malaria, it will be examined the role of neuroinflammation in structural injury and neurologic morbidity with laboratory assessments of acute inflammation, serial neuroimaging, and long term neurological outcomes. The novel study population will include children in a randomized controlled trial (RCT) of aggressive antipyretics as well as a more representative non-RCT population. The effects of co-infection with SARS-CoV-2 on parasite clearance, inflammatory factors associated with malarial death and neurologic sequelae and structural injuries including ischemia, bleeding, and thromboses will be ascertained. This research will be undertaken in Zambia and Malawi. This research program award will also provide infrastructure, mentorship and a vibrant environment for scholarship and trainee engagement with both US and African academics.

Project details

Diagnostics
Vulnerable Populations

May 2021 — Apr 2029

$1.5M

Malawi
Zambia