Climate Change Poses Serious Risks to Brain Health, Researchers Warn

Bhubaneswar: A research team led by University College London (UCL) has raised alarm about the detrimental effects of climate change on individuals with brain conditions. Published in The Lancet Neurology, the study emphasizes the urgent need to address these impacts as extreme weather events become more frequent and severe.

Headed by Professor Sanjay Sisodiya of the UCL Queen Square Institute of Neurology, the team reviewed 332 studies spanning from 1968 to 2023. Their focus included 19 neurological conditions identified in the Global Burden of Disease 2016 study, such as stroke, migraine, Alzheimer’s, meningitis, epilepsy, and multiple sclerosis. The researchers also explored the effects of climate change on psychiatric disorders like anxiety, depression, and schizophrenia.

“There is clear evidence that climate impacts some brain conditions, especially stroke and nervous system infections,” stated Professor Sisodiya. He highlighted that extreme temperatures and significant daily temperature fluctuations are particularly harmful, with higher nighttime temperatures disrupting sleep and exacerbating various brain conditions.

The study revealed increased hospital admissions, disability, and mortality related to strokes during heatwaves or in higher ambient temperatures. People with dementia are particularly vulnerable to extreme weather events like heatwaves, flooding, and wildfires, due to cognitive impairments that hinder their adaptability.

This vulnerability is worsened by factors such as frailty, multiple health conditions, and medications. Additionally, extreme temperatures and daily fluctuations are linked to higher incidence, hospital admissions, and mortality risk for many mental health disorders.

As climate change intensifies, populations face more severe environmental factors affecting brain health. The researchers stress the need for continuous research to understand the current and future impacts of climate change on brain health.

“This work is happening amid worsening climatic conditions, and it needs to be agile and dynamic to provide useful information,” said Professor Sisodiya. He also noted the scarcity of studies on the future health consequences of brain diseases under changing climate scenarios, complicating planning efforts.

Furthermore, climate anxiety is an increasing concern, as many brain conditions are associated with higher risks of psychiatric disorders. This multimorbidity can amplify the impacts of climate change and the necessary adaptations to protect health.

[This story is a part of ‘Punascha Pruthibi – One Earth. Unite for It’, an awareness campaign by Sambad Digital.]