Gaby
The climate crisis is already affecting nearly every part of life — and now it’s starting to harm our brains. Those who contributed least to global warming often suffer the worst effects. And recently, scientists have been paying more attention to how climate change affects brain health.
A team at University College London reviewed 332 studies published between 1968 and 2023. They found the potential negative impact of climate change on human brain health could be substantial, IFLScience reported.
The researchers looked at 19 neurological disorders, including stroke, migraine, Alzheimer’s disease, meningitis, epilepsy, and multiple sclerosis. They also examined common mental illnesses such as anxiety, depression, and schizophrenia.
What the study found
“Until now, there has been little research assessing the consequences of future climate scenarios on brain health,” said Professor Sanjay Sisodia, who led the team.
Weather shifts, extreme heatwaves, and freezing temperatures are risk factors for brain health, the researchers said. They found that incidence, hospitalizations, and mortality from many mental and neurological disorders are tied to higher average temperatures, large day-to-day temperature swings, and extreme hot or cold events.
“We have clear evidence of the climate’s impact on brain diseases, particularly on stroke and neuroinfections,” Professor Sisodia said.
He said extreme temperatures and big temperature swings during the day are dangerous. In particular, excessively high nighttime temperatures can disrupt sleep. Poor sleep is a known contributor to a range of brain disorders.
The team also warned that people with mental or neurological conditions could lose access to medical care if environmental conditions worsen. That risk is especially high for people living with dementia.
The researchers say the climate picture is alarming, and it will probably get worse unless countries act to reduce global warming.
The findings of the study were published in the journal Lancet Neurology.
