Probe into influence of malaria drug on Afghanistan massacre suspect

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Days after a U.S. soldier allegedly massacred 17 Afghanistan civilians, top Pentagon officials have ordered an immediate probe into an anti-malaria medicine many suspect causes severe psychiatric side effects.

Use of mefloquine reportedly causes psychotic behavior, paranoia and hallucinations. For years, the drug has been administered to U.S. soldiers - once a week.

A report from 2009 had nearly killed the drug's use after it suggested that it increases level of instability in soldiers who've suffered psychological trauma.

Incidentally, Staff Sgt. Robert Bales, accused of killing 17 Afghan, including children, suffered from a brain injury during a 2010 deployment to Iraq.