Extreme heat and cold are having a profound impact on the health and daily lives of millions of people living with neurological disorders such as epilepsy, multiple sclerosis, and dementia.
Individuals suffering from these conditions are increasingly vulnerable to symptom worsening due to climate change, according to new insights shared by FutureNeuro, the Irish Centre for Translational Brain Health Research at the Royal College of Surgeons in Ireland. Last month, FutureNeuro released a 16-minute mini-documentary, produced in partnership with the International League Against Epilepsy (ILAE), highlighting the often overlooked connection between brain health and climate change. The film draws attention to the challenges faced by over 3 billion people worldwide living with neurological diseases.
Scientific research has established a clear link between rising temperatures and the exacerbation of symptoms in temperature-sensitive neurological conditions. For example, Dravet syndrome—a rare and severe form of childhood epilepsy—can cause more frequent seizures and impair brain function when the patient experiences sudden increases in body temperature.
Professor Sanjeev Sisodia, Chair of the ILAE Climate Change Committee and a neurologist at University College London, emphasized the vulnerability of the brain to temperature changes. “The brain is central to how we respond to environmental challenges, and many of its regions are highly sensitive to temperature,” he said. “If the brain is already affected by disease, it becomes more susceptible to the impacts of climate change. As climate change intensifies, it is crucial to focus on its effects on neurological patients globally.”
Professor Sisodia also led a 2024 study published in The Lancet Neurology, which found that extreme temperatures—both heat and cold—can worsen symptoms in 19 neurological diseases, including dementia, epilepsy, and migraines.
The documentary further incorporates patient testimonies that reveal the daily hardships faced by neurological patients, such as being confined indoors during heatwaves and experiencing increased social isolation. Extreme temperatures also disrupt medical supply chains, damage temperature-sensitive medications, and limit access to healthcare services.
ILAE Chair J Helen Cross highlighted the urgency of addressing this issue, stating, “Climate change is among the most pressing global health challenges of our era, and its impact on epilepsy and other neurological conditions is increasingly evident. This film represents a vital step in integrating neurological health into the climate change conversation.”
Beyond raising public awareness, the documentary aims to drive investment in advanced scientific research. One promising avenue involves using imaging and genetic technologies—enhanced by artificial intelligence—to better understand how rising temperatures affect brain health. AI-driven predictive models can help identify high-risk individuals and guide targeted interventions.
David Henshall, Director of FutureNeuro and Professor of Molecular Physiology and Neuroscience at RCSI, explained, “Emerging imaging and genetic tools provide new insights into the brain’s temperature regulation system and how it is altered in conditions like epilepsy. Understanding these mechanisms paves the way for novel treatments or preventative strategies that could reduce the risk of seizures triggered by heat.”
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