Climate change could aggravate brain diseases, according to a study

The impact of climate change goes far beyond the obvious. A new analysis suggests that the increase in temperatures aggravates neurological conditions and increases vulnerability in patients at risk.

brain, climate change
Several psychiatric disorders could be aggravated by the increase in temperatures.

A team of researchers led by the University College of London (UCL) warns that neurological diseases could be aggravated by climate change and the extreme weather events associated with it.

The team, led by Professor Sanjay Sisodiya, conducted a thorough review of 332 scientific studies published between 1968 and 2023.

The analysis considered 19 diseases of the nervous system, selected based on the Global Burden of Disease 2016 study. These included stroke, migraine, Alzheimer's, meningitis, epilepsy and multiple sclerosis.

In addition, serious psychiatric disorders, such as anxiety, depression and schizophrenia, were considered to find evidence on how climate change affects these pictures. "We include the most frequent conditions worldwide," explained the lead author.

Researchers found an increase in hospital admissions, disability and mortality associated with stroke during periods of high temperatures or heat waves.

"We know that many neurological conditions have elements that can be affected by changes in the environment, especially changes in temperatures," Sisodiya said.

diseases, climate change
The work of the UCL analyzed 322 scientific studies and was published in The Lancet Neurology.

Sisodiya warned that extreme weather conditions, mainly very high or very low temperatures and large thermal variations during a day, can influence the development and worsening of brain diseases.

"The evidence suggests that the incidence, prevalence and severity of many nervous system conditions can be affected by climate change. The data show adverse, broad and complex effects, especially of extreme temperatures that people are not used to," says the study, which was published in The Lancet Neurology.

Climate change and increased vulnerability

The study also points out that there is an increase in vulnerability in people with dementia when they are in extreme weather conditions, such as heat waves, floods or forest fires.

People with these pictures see their ability to take precautions, respond or adapt to these phenomena greatly diminished.

Factors such as lower risk awareness, deterioration of adaptive behavior, fragility, multimorbidity and psychotropic drugs can aggravate the susceptibility of people with brain diseases to climate-related impacts.

The study especially emphasized the incidence of high night temperatures, which can affect sleep and, therefore, aggravate some neurological symptoms.

According to the researchers, many mental health disorders are linked to variations in ambient temperature, both daily and extreme.

With the increase in the severity of meteorological phenomena and global warming, populations could face a greater risk of suffering from these diseases.

Professor Sisodiya indicated that there is a lack of studies that evaluate the consequences of climate change on brain health in future scenarios. He stressed the need to carry out sustained research that can facilitate the planning and implementation of preventive measures.

In addition, he added: "the whole concept of climate anxiety is an additional and potentially important influence: many brain conditions are associated with a higher risk of psychiatric disorders, including anxiety, and such multimorbidities can further complicate the impacts of climate change and the adaptations necessary to preserve health. But there are actions that we can and must take now," he concluded.

Reference of the news:

"Climate change and disorders of the nervous system". The Lancet Neurology June 2024.