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

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.