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Updated: May 15, 2026
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Systems Analysis of the Neuroinflammatory and Hemodynamic Response to Traumatic Brain Injury
Published on: May 27, 2022
Brain temperature: physiology and pathophysiology after brain injury
Ségolène Mrozek1, Fanny Vardon, Thomas Geeraerts
1Department of Anesthesia and Critical Care, University Hospital of Toulouse, University Paul Sabatier, Toulouse, France.
Anesthesiology Research and Practice
|January 18, 2013
Summary
Brain temperature regulation is complex after brain injury, with fever potentially causing harm but also offering benefits. Controlling brain temperature is challenging but crucial for limiting neuronal damage.
Area of Science:
- Neuroscience
- Critical Care Medicine
- Physiology
Background:
- Brain temperature regulation is complex, influenced by metabolic activity.
- Core temperature monitoring is recommended for patients with brain injury.
- Brain temperature can rise independently of systemic temperature and is sensitive to variations.
Purpose of the Study:
- To describe the physiology and pathophysiology of brain temperature changes post-brain injury.
- To investigate the effects of brain temperature control strategies after brain injury.
Main Methods:
- Literature review on brain temperature regulation and its impact on brain injury.
- Analysis of physiological and pathophysiological changes related to brain temperature.
- Discussion of therapeutic interventions for temperature control.
Main Results:
- Brain temperature often exceeds systemic temperature after injury and varies independently.
- Fever can exacerbate neuronal injury, but may have beneficial roles in infections.
- Therapeutic hypothermia shows promise in animal models but clinical use is debated.
Conclusions:
- Brain temperature dysregulation is a significant concern after brain injury.
- Temperature control is a complex but potentially vital therapeutic strategy.
- Further research is needed to clarify the role and methods of therapeutic temperature modulation.
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