Neurocognitive sequelae of cerebral malaria in adults：A pilot study in Benguela Central Hospital, Angola

ABSTRACT

Objective: To characterize the neurocognitive sequelae of cerebral malaria (CM) in an adult sample of the city of Benguela, Angola. Methods:A neuropsychological assessment was carried out in 22 subjects with prior history of CM ranging from 6 to 12 months after the infection. The obtained results were compared to a control group with no previous history of cerebral malaria. The study was conducted in Benguela Central Hospital, Angola in 2011. Results: CM group obtained lower results on the two last trials of a verbal learning task and on an abstract reasoning test. Conclusions: CM is associated to a slower verbal learning rate and to difficulties in the ability to discriminate and perceive relations between new elements.