EEG features in depressive patients with high and low levels of aggressiveness.

Malaria is a mosquito-borne infectious disease caused by protozoan parasites of the genus , primarily transmitted through the bites of infected mosquitoes. As of 2024, an estimated 282 million cases were reported globally, resulting in approximately 610,000 deaths [] The World Health Organization (WHO) African Region disproportionately shoulders this burden, accounting for 95% of all cases and 96% of malaria-related deaths. Children under five remain the most vulnerable, representing nearly 80% of these fatalities [, ]. Beyond mortality, malaria is also a significant cause of long-term morbidity, contributing to economic hardship for affected individuals and health systems [, ]. Effective elimination of malaria requires addressing eight major challenges: [] the influence of climate change; [] growing insecticide resistance; [] behavioral adaptations of mosquito vectors, especially following the deployment of long-lasting insecticidal nets (LLINs); [] limitations in the sustainability of current preventive measures; [] resistance of species to antimalarial drugs; [] the absence of an effective, widely deployable vaccine; [] the need for improved health education to change risky behaviors; and [] the socioeconomic factors contributing to disease persistence [–]. At least three of these challenges—prevention, drug resistance, and vaccine development—can be effectively investigated using animal models. A wide range of malaria animal models have been established, involving species such as mice, rats, gerbils, chickens, and non-human primates. These models exploit the host specificity of various strains. In mice (), strains such as () and () are extensively studied. These rodent malaria models provide critical insights into host–pathogen interactions, disease pathophysiology, and therapeutic development. Recent advancements in molecular biology and genetic engineering have expanded the versatility of these models, enabling gene deletions, transgenic parasite lines, and reporter constructs to investigate immune mechanisms and antimalarial resistance [, ].