In a recent Personal View article published in The Lancet Neurology, a team led by Professor Sanjay Sisodiya from UCL Queen Square Institute of Neurology has underscored the urgent need to understand and address the impact of climate change on people with neurological conditions. This call to action stems from a comprehensive review of 332 papers spanning from 1968 to 2023, shedding light on the potential substantial effects climate change may have on neurological diseases and related mental health disorders.
The team’s analysis encompassed 19 different nervous system conditions, including stroke, migraine, Alzheimer’s, meningitis, epilepsy, and multiple sclerosis, among others. Additionally, they delved into the impact of climate change on common psychiatric disorders such as anxiety, depression, and schizophrenia.
Professor Sisodiya emphasized the clear evidence linking climate variations to certain brain conditions, particularly stroke and infections of the nervous system. Extremes of temperature, both high and low, and significant temperature fluctuations throughout the day—especially when these depart from seasonal norms—were identified as contributing factors. Of particular concern were night-time temperatures, as higher nocturnal temperatures can disrupt sleep, exacerbating many brain conditions.
The researchers discovered a correlation between higher ambient temperatures or heatwaves and increased admissions, disability, or mortality due to stroke. Moreover, individuals with dementia face heightened susceptibility to heat-related illnesses or hypothermia, along with challenges in adapting to weather events like flooding or wildfires due to cognitive impairments that limit their ability to respond effectively.
Furthermore, mental health disorders show increased incidence, hospital admissions, and mortality risks associated with rising ambient temperatures, daily temperature fluctuations, and extreme hot and cold weather.
As global temperatures rise and adverse weather events become more severe, populations are increasingly exposed to environmental factors that may not have previously affected brain conditions to the same extent. This underscores the necessity for up-to-date research that not only considers the current state of climate change but also anticipates future scenarios.
Professor Sisodiya emphasized the dynamic nature of this work against the backdrop of worsening climatic conditions, stressing the need for agility in generating information useful to individuals and organizations. However, he noted a lack of studies estimating the health consequences on brain diseases under future climate scenarios, posing challenges for proactive planning.
Moreover, the concept of climate anxiety adds another layer of complexity, given its association with higher risk for psychiatric disorders such as anxiety—further complicating the impacts of climate change on health outcomes.
Nevertheless, Professor Sisodiya highlighted actionable steps that can and should be taken now to mitigate these impacts. As climate change continues to evolve, it is imperative to remain vigilant, adaptive, and proactive in safeguarding neurological health amidst changing environmental conditions.
