A recent study using a mouse model of cerebral malaria showed that hypothyroidism promotes mouse survival, with protection attenuated by the SIRT1 inhibitor EX-527, whereas in mice with normal thyroid function the SIRT1 activator SRT1720 confers host protection [83], thus suggesting SIRT1 as a therapeutic target in cerebral malaria. The gene discussed is SIRT1; the disease is hypothyroidism.