In a newly published review paper on cerebral malaria in children, Dr. Ian MacCormick and colleagues, conclude that the retina could be a useful tool to better understand cerebral malaria and may lead to improved treatment.

Cerebral malaria is a dangerous illness for children in Malawi, and a frequent cause of death. Despite many years of research, it is still not entirely clear what happens in cerebral malaria that causes some children to die while others survive. This is partly because it is difficult to study the brain – the brain is inside the skull and it is not easy to reach with a microscope or other tools often used in medical research.