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A Behavioral Screen for Heat-Induced Seizures in Mouse Models of Epilepsy
Published on: July 12, 2021
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Climate change and epilepsy: Insights from clinical and basic science studies
Medine I Gulcebi1, Emanuele Bartolini2, Omay Lee3
1Department of Medical Pharmacology, Marmara University, School of Medicine, Istanbul, Turkey.
Epilepsy & Behavior : E&B
|February 12, 2021
Summary
Climate change impacts epilepsy by increasing seizure frequency through factors like fever and extreme weather. More research is needed to understand and mitigate these climate-driven risks for individuals with epilepsy.
Area of Science:
- Environmental Health
- Neurology
- Climate Science
Background:
- Climate change presents a significant global health crisis, comparable to pandemics, impacting public health through chronic warming and acute extreme weather events.
- Neurological diseases, including epilepsy, are complex chronic conditions influenced by environmental changes.
- The relationship between climate change and epilepsy requires thorough investigation to understand potential public health implications.
Purpose of the Study:
- To collate and evaluate existing clinical and basic science reports on the relationship between climate change and epilepsy.
- To identify climatic variables associated with increased seizure frequency and understand their impact on epilepsy management and comorbidities.
Main Methods:
- Systematic review of published evidence using keywords such as climate change, temperature, humidity, thermoregulation, biorhythm, gene, circadian rhythm, heat, and weather.
- Evaluation of clinical and experimental (animal models) studies examining the influence of climatic factors on seizure activity and epilepsy.
Main Results:
- Several climatic variables are linked to increased seizure frequency in individuals with epilepsy.
- Climate change can exacerbate epilepsy through increased seizure precipitants like fevers, stress, sleep deprivation, and vector-borne infections.
- Experimental studies suggest distinct seizure type susceptibilities to seasonal influences, with elevated body temperature playing a critical role.
Conclusions:
- The links between climate change and epilepsy are complex, multifactorial, and often indirect, making predictions challenging.
- Further research is essential to gather more data on climate-driven risks for seizures, epilepsy, and epileptogenesis.
- Identifying underlying mechanisms and developing evidence-based mitigation strategies are crucial to protect individuals with epilepsy from climate change effects.
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