Climate-related challenges to brain health: A European perspective review - 14/08/25

Doi : 10.1016/j.neurol.2025.07.010

J. Reis ^a,⁎ , A. Buguet ^b, Z. Tulek ^c, A.-M. Landtblom ^d,^e, M.W. Radomski ^f, Ş. Öztürk ^g, M. Pugliatti ^h, U. Kallweit ⁱ, P.S. Spencer ^j
^a Department of Neurology, University Hospital Hautepierre, 67200 Strasbourg, France
^b Malaria Research Unit, SMITh, ICBMS, UMR 5246 CNRS, INSA, CPE, Université Claude-Bernard Lyon 1, 69622 Villeurbanne, France
^c Florence Nightingale Faculty of Nursing, Istanbul University-Cerrahpasa, Istanbul, Turkey
^d Department of Medical Sciences, Neurology, Uppsala University, Uppsala, Sweden
^e Department of Biomedicine and Clinical Sciences, Linköping University, Linköping, Sweden
^f University of Toronto, Toronto, Canada
^g Department of Neurology, Selçuk University Faculty of Medicine, Konya, Turkey
^h Department of Neuroscience and Rehabilitation, University of Ferrara, Ferrara, Italy
ⁱ Faculty of Health, Center for Biomedical Education and Research (ZBAF), University Witten/Herdecke, Witten, Germany
^j Department of Neurology, School of Medicine and Oregon Institute of Occupational Health Sciences, Oregon Health & Science University, Portland, OR, USA

^⁎Corresponding author. 3, rue du Loir, 67205 Oberhausbergen, France.3, rue du LoirOberhausbergen67205France

Sous presse. Épreuves corrigées par l'auteur. Disponible en ligne depuis le Thursday 14 August 2025
Cet article a été publié dans un numéro de la revue, cliquez ici pour y accéder

Highlights

•	The first warnings regarding the health impacts of climate change were issued by the public health community in the late 20th century (Alex Leaf, 1989).
•	The growing interest of neurologists in the potential adverse effects of global warming on brain health is recent.
•	There is a lack of data on the many and diverse health effects of climate change in neurology, psychiatry, and psychology.
•	Although the major impact is likely an aggravation of well-known brain diseases, European neurologists must learn to deal with known infectious and toxic diseases common in tropical regions and manage extreme events (e.g., heat waves).
•	The psychological impact of climate change, ecoanxiety has become a major public health issue.

Le texte complet de cet article est disponible en PDF.

Abstract

In this paper, we provide a brief overview on the assessment of the numerous effects of climate change on human health, with particular emphasis on brain health. After reviewing the epidemiological data concerning neuro-psychiatric mortality and morbidity, we will examine the known effects of global warming in a European context. We will consider respectively, neurological diseases (epilepsy, migraine, stroke, sleep, neurodegenerative and neuroinfectious disorders), neurological involvement of climate-change induced health conditions, neuro-psychological aspects (post-traumatic stress and sleep disorders, eco-anxiety) and emerging risks for the brain (toxins and infections). We suggest some underlying mechanisms impacting the brain health. Given the paucity of available data, we call for increased research attention to the adverse effects of climate change. This perspective is intended to support a higher degree of preparedness, the development of improved preventive measures, and the promotion of targeted education for health professionals.

Le texte complet de cet article est disponible en PDF.

Keywords : Early warnings’ history, Vector-borne neuro infections, Phycotoxins, Psychological distress, Eco-anxiety, Sleep disorders