Climate change and neurodegenerative diseases

The climate change induced global warming, and in particular the increased frequency and intensity of heat waves, have been linked to health problems. Among them, scientific works have been reporting an increased incidence of neurological diseases, encompassing also neurodegenerative ones, such as Dementia of Alzheimer's type, Parkinson's Disease, and Motor Neuron Diseases. Although the increase in prevalence of neurodegenerative diseases is well documented by literature reports, the link between global warming and the enhanced prevalence of such diseases remains elusive. This is the main theme of our work, which aims to examine the connection between high temperature exposure and neurode-generative diseases. Firstly, we evaluate the influence of high temperatures exposure on the pathophysiology of these disorders. Secondly, we discuss its effects on the thermoregulation, already compromised in affected pa-tients, and its interference with processes of excitotoxicity, oxidative stress and neuroinflammation, all of them related with neurodegeneration. Finally, we investigate chronic versus acute stressors on body warming, and put forward a possible interpretation of the beneficial or detrimental effects on the brain, which is responsible for the incidence or progression of neurological disorders.

Automated summary

Climate change-induced global warming has been associated with increased incidence of neurological diseases, including neurodegenerative disorders like Alzheimer's and Parkinson's. This study aims to examine the connection between high temperature exposure and neurodegenerative diseases by evaluating its effects on pathophysiology, thermoregulation, excitotoxicity, oxidative stress, and neuroinflammation. The research also investigates the impact of chronic versus acute stressors on body warming and their effects on the brain's incidence or progression of neurological disorders.