Heat stroke-induced central nervous system injury: Mechanisms and therapeutic perspectives

Heat stroke (HS), a life-threatening heat-related disorder, is characterized by a rapid elevation of core body temperature exceeding 40 °C, accompanied by central nervous system (CNS) dysfunction and multiple organ dysfunction syndrome (MODS). With the escalating impact of global warming, the incidence of HS has risen progressively, posing a significant threat to global health. The CNS is one of the primary target organs in HS, and its injury mechanisms involve intricate interactions among inflammatory cascades, oxidative stress, programmed cell death, and blood-brain barrier (BBB) disruption. These pathological processes synergistically contribute to neuronal damage, functional impairment, potential long-term cognitive and motor deficits. This review synthesizes current evidence on the molecular and cellular mechanisms underlying HS-induced CNS injury, explores the current progress in therapeutic strategies, and proposes future research directions to address critical knowledge gaps.