Climate-Related Neurological Problems and Diseases

A special issue of Brain Sciences (ISSN 2076-3425). This special issue belongs to the section "Environmental Neuroscience".

Deadline for manuscript submissions: 31 May 2026 | Viewed by 470

Special Issue Editor


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Guest Editor
1. University Clinic, Philipps-University, Marburg, Germany
2. IQVIA, Epidemiology, Frankfurt am Main, Germany
Interests: epidemiology; climate; neurological health

Special Issue Information

Dear Colleagues,

Climate change is increasingly recognized as a critical factor influencing neurological health. Rising global temperatures, extreme weather events, and environmental instability have been linked to conditions such as heatstroke‑induced migraine, neuroinflammatory disorders, stroke, and exacerbations of neurodegenerative diseases. Understanding these links is essential for both prevention and treatment.

The aim of this Special Issue, “Climate‑Related Neurological Problems and Diseases”, is to explore the mechanisms, epidemiology, and clinical implications of climate‑driven neurological disorders. We seek to integrate multidisciplinary perspectives—from neurology, environmental health, public health, and climate science—to build a comprehensive picture of the problem.

This Special Issue will highlight cutting‑edge research in pathophysiology, predictive modelling, climate‑resilient healthcare strategies, and emerging therapeutic approaches.

We invite original research articles, reviews, clinical case studies, and policy analyses addressing any aspect of climate’s impact on neurological health, including mechanistic studies, population data, and intervention strategies.

Dr. Karel Kostev
Guest Editor

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Keywords

  • climate
  • heat
  • stroke
  • migraine
  • headache
  • depression

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Published Papers (1 paper)

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Research

9 pages, 1098 KB  
Article
Heatstroke Is Associated with an Increased Risk of Chronic Headache: A Retrospective Cohort Study
by Karel Kostev, Ira Rodemer, Marcel Konrad and Jens Bohlken
Brain Sci. 2025, 15(9), 1011; https://doi.org/10.3390/brainsci15091011 - 19 Sep 2025
Viewed by 394
Abstract
Background: Heatstroke is the most severe form of heat-related illness. It is characterized by an elevated core body temperature and central nervous system dysfunction. The aim of this study was to investigate the association between heatstroke and subsequent migraine development. Methods: This retrospective [...] Read more.
Background: Heatstroke is the most severe form of heat-related illness. It is characterized by an elevated core body temperature and central nervous system dysfunction. The aim of this study was to investigate the association between heatstroke and subsequent migraine development. Methods: This retrospective cohort study used data from the Disease Analyzer database (IQVIA) and included individuals diagnosed with heatstroke, as well as propensity score-matched individuals without heatstroke. Data about these individuals was recorded in 1216 general practices in Germany between January 2005 and December 2023. Five-year cumulative migraine incidence was assessed using Kaplan–Meiercurves, and univariable Cox regression analysis was performed to evaluate the association between heatstroke and migraine. Results: The study included 5794 individuals with heatstroke and 28,970 matched controls without heatstroke (median age: 30 years, 31–32% female). Most heatstroke cases were documented in June (32–34%), followed by July (30%), August (15–17%), and May (13%). Within five years of follow-up, 8.8% of patients with heatstroke and 4.0% of controls were diagnosed with migraine. The regression analysis revealed that heatstroke was significantly associated with an increased risk of migraine in the total population (HR: 2.26; 95% CI: 2.00–2.57), as well as in women (HR: 2.33; 95% CI: 1.96–2.79) and men (HR: 2.26; 95% CI: 1.89–2.70). Conclusion: This study highlights an important, yet previously underrecognized, association between heatstroke and an increased risk of migraine. As global temperatures continue to rise, public health strategies should focus not only on the acute prevention and management of heat-related illnesses, but also on their potential long-term neurological consequences. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Climate-Related Neurological Problems and Diseases)
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