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How can heatstroke damage the brain? A mini review
Kazuhiro Yoneda1, Sanae Hosomi1, Hiroshi Ito1
1Department of Traumatology and Acute Critical Medicine, Osaka University Graduate School of Medicine, Suita, Japan.
Frontiers in Neuroscience
|October 25, 2024
Summary
Heatstroke causes severe brain injury, affecting areas like the cerebellum and hippocampus. This review explores heatstroke
Area of Science:
- Environmental Health
- Neurology
- Toxicology
Background:
- Global heat waves are increasing, leading to more heat-related deaths.
- Heatstroke occurs when the body overheats, causing severe illness.
- The central nervous system (CNS) is particularly vulnerable to heat injury.
Purpose of the Study:
- To review mechanisms of heatstroke-induced brain injury.
- To identify diagnostic tools for CNS damage from heatstroke.
- To explore biomarkers for heatstroke-related neurological complications.
Main Methods:
- Literature review of heatstroke and neuroimaging studies.
- Analysis of pathways causing heatstroke brain damage.
- Identification of current and emerging diagnostic modalities.
Main Results:
- Heatstroke can cause cellular damage in the cerebellum, hippocampus, midbrain, and thalamus.
- Neuroimaging reveals long-term neurological deficits in heatstroke survivors.
- Specific biomarkers for heatstroke CNS injury are under investigation.
Conclusions:
- Heatstroke poses a significant threat to the central nervous system.
- Understanding injury mechanisms is crucial for developing treatments.
- Advanced neuroimaging and biomarkers are key for diagnosing and managing heatstroke-induced brain injury.
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