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Published on: November 21, 2017
Hyperthermia and central nervous system injury
W Dalton Dietrich1, Helen M Bramlett
1Department of Neurological Surgery, Miami Project to Cure Paralysis, University of Miami, Miller School of Medicine, Miami, FL 33136, USA. ddietrich@miami.edu
Progress in Brain Research
|July 25, 2007
Summary
Fever after brain or spinal cord injury (SCI) worsens outcomes by increasing cell damage. Controlling fever may improve patient recovery by mitigating these detrimental effects.
Area of Science:
- Neuroscience
- Critical Care Medicine
- Pathophysiology
Background:
- Fever is common after brain and spinal cord injury (SCI).
- Experimental studies show fever exacerbates central nervous system (CNS) injury.
- Mild hyperthermia (>37°C) can worsen outcomes and increase cell damage.
Purpose of the Study:
- To evaluate the detrimental effects of fever after CNS injury.
- To understand the mechanisms underlying hyperthermia's negative impact.
- To highlight the importance of temperature monitoring and fever control.
Main Methods:
- Review of experimental studies on fever and CNS injury.
- Analysis of pathomechanisms aggravated by mild hyperthermia.
- Examination of temperature monitoring and treatment strategies.
Main Results:
- Mild hyperthermia aggravates excitotoxicity, free radical generation, inflammation, apoptosis, and genetic responses.
- Gender differences influence secondary hyperthermia consequences in animal models.
- Dissociations between brain and body temperature emphasize the need for CNS temperature control.
Conclusions:
- Controlling fever after brain or SCI may improve patient outcomes.
- Effective strategies for monitoring and treating hyperthermia are needed.
- Preventing fever is crucial for mitigating secondary injury mechanisms.
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