New film highlights the hidden impact of climate change on brain health

(Press-News.org) A powerful new short film, from the FutureNeuro Research Ireland Centre and RCSI University of Medicine and Health Sciences sheds light on the urgent need to address the impact of climate change on brain health.

Produced in collaboration with the International League Against Epilepsy (ILAE) Climate Change Commission, the film calls for urgent action to address the risks posed by rising global temperatures to people living with neurological conditions such as epilepsy, multiple sclerosis and dementia.

The film features leading experts including Professor David Henshall, Director of FutureNeuro and Professor of Molecular Physiology and Neuroscience at RCSI. It also amplifies the voices of individuals living with neurological conditions who share their firsthand experiences of navigating a changing climate.

Climate change and brain health

Climate change is driving long-term shifts in global temperatures, with widespread implications for human health. More than three billion people worldwide are affected by neurological conditions. Emerging research indicates that rising temperatures can increase seizure frequency, exacerbate symptoms, and impair brain function, especially for those with temperature sensitive conditions like Dravet syndrome.

Professor Sanjay Sisodiya, Professor of Neurology at UCL and Chair of the ILAE Climate Change Commission, said: “The brain is key to our response to challenges from our surroundings and many parts of the brain are sensitive to the temperature at which they have to work. As a result, if the brain is already affected by disease, it may be more vulnerable to the challenges posed by the effects of climate change. As climate change continues to worsen, it is essential that we pay attention to its effects on people with neurological conditions all around the world.” 

A call for research and action

Ongoing research is deepening our understanding of the brain-climate connection, but critical gaps remain. Scientists are using advanced imaging tools to track brain temperature fluctuations and examine how heat stress impacts neural activity. AI-driven predictive models are identifying at-risk populations and shaping targeted interventions.

Professor David Henshall said: “New imaging and genetic technologies allow us to learn more about the brain’s temperature control systems and how this is altered in conditions such as epilepsy. Understanding these mechanisms could open the door to new treatments or preventative strategies, helping to reduce the impact of heat on seizure risk.”

The ILAE Climate Change Commission is leading initiatives to promote sustainability in neurological research, advocate for policy reforms, and collaborate with global health organisations. Meanwhile, Green Labs initiatives across Ireland, including those at RCSI are working to reduce the environmental footprint of neuroscience research by minimising plastic waste and energy consumption.

Addressing the intersection of climate change and brain health requires a coordinated, multi-sector response.

ILAE President J. Helen Cross said: “Climate change is one of the most pressing global health challenges of our time, and its impact on people with epilepsy and other neurological conditions is becoming increasingly clear. Through the work of the ILAE Climate Change Commission, we are committed to understanding these emerging risks and supporting research, awareness, and action. This film is a powerful step toward placing neurological health firmly within the climate conversation.”

Living with neurological conditions in a changing climate

The film also brings attention to the daily struggles of individuals coping with climate-related neurological challenges. Extreme temperatures can mean self-imposed isolation. Emma Campbell, a parent of a teenager with epilepsy, explains, “As soon as temperatures rise, we start living like hermits, we shut the windows, close the blinds, and even sleep downstairs where it’s cooler. For my daughter’s mental health, it’s incredibly tough. She’s missed school trips, and we worry about how hot classrooms get. We just want her to live as normal a life as possible. More awareness is needed about how heat affects people with different medical conditions.”

For those in vulnerable locations, climate change compounds existing challenges. Extreme weather events can disrupt medical supply chains, damage cold-storage medications, and hinder access to healthcare. Mosquito-borne diseases, which can trigger neurological conditions, are appearing in regions previously unaffected.

Dr Stephen Blenkinsop, Senior Lecturer in Climate and Climate Change, School of Engineering, Newcastle University, said: “The evidence for human influence on our climate is unequivocal. Warmer temperatures are having a wide range of effects on human health, from direct heat-related illnesses to indirect effects through access to food and water. The greatest impacts will fall on vulnerable people who already live with health conditions.”

The message of the film is clear: everything is connected, and everyone has a role to play. By raising awareness, driving policy change, and advancing research, we can ensure that those living with neurological conditions are not left behind in the fight against climate change.

For more information and to watch the film, visit: https://youtu.be/lmbRcsFNlEw 

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For further information: 

Laura Anderson, Communications Officer, RCSI 

lauraanderson@rcsi.ie 

Fiona McLoone, Communications Lead, FutureNeuro, RCSI 

fionamcloone@rcsi.ie

About RCSI University of Medicine and Health Sciences

RCSI University of Medicine and Health Sciences is ranked fifth in the world for its contribution to UN Sustainable Development Goal 3, Good Health and Well-being, in the Times Higher Education (THE) University Impact Rankings 2024.

Founded in 1784 as the Royal College of Surgeons in Ireland with responsibility for training surgeons in Ireland, today RCSI is an innovative, not-for-profit, international university exclusively focused on driving improvements in human health worldwide through education, research and engagement.

RCSI is among the top 300 universities worldwide in the World University Rankings (2025) and has been awarded Athena Swan Bronze accreditation for positive gender practice in higher education.

In 2026, RCSI will open a new public engagement space, dedicated to health and well-being, at 118 St Stephen’s Green in Dublin city centre. The space is designed to engage the public in dialogue about living longer, healthier and happier lives through dynamic events and exhibitions. Our aim is to bridge the gap between health sciences research, professional expertise, and public understanding, empowering people to make informed decisions about their health.

Visit the RCSI MyHealth Expert Directory to find the details of our experts across a range of healthcare issues and concerns. Recognising their responsibility to share their knowledge and discoveries to empower people with information that leads them to better health, these clinicians and researchers are willing to engage with the media in their area of expertise.

About FutureNeuro

The FutureNeuro Research Ireland Centre for Translational Brain Science is Ireland's leading interdisciplinary research centre dedicated to transforming the diagnosis, treatment, and care of people living with neurological, psychiatric, and neurodevelopmental conditions. Supported by an initial core exchequer funding of €8M in 2017, FutureNeuro has grown into a €44M research powerhouse, attracting substantial industry partnerships and competitive international funding. In 2023, the Centre entered Phase 2 with a renewed exchequer investment of €18M and a robust, internationally peer-reviewed scientific and business plan aimed at further increasing this investment to over €50M. With brain diseases impacting one in three people over their lifetime and placing a staggering €30 billion annual burden on healthcare and welfare systems, FutureNeuro is at the forefront of developing real-world solutions to these pressing challenges.

More than 800,000 people in Ireland are living with conditions that affect the brain and central nervous system, such as chronic and rare epilepsies, Motor Neuron Disease (MND), Parkinson's disease (PD), Multiple Sclerosis (MS), and traumatic brain injury (TBI). Adding to the complexity, over 30% of these individuals will also contend with psychiatric disorders. FutureNeuro’s mission is to change the journey for those affected by these conditions through a unique, patient-centred, and multidisciplinary research programme that brings together patients, clinicians, industry partners, and world-leading scientific advisors.

The Centre's research focuses on advancing the diagnosis of brain diseases, implementing genomics for personalised therapies, developing next-generation therapies, and leveraging data science and digital health to enhance healthcare systems and empower clinical decision-making. Building on a strong foundation in diagnostics, therapeutics, and eHealth with an initial focus on epilepsy and MND, FutureNeuro has extended its impact to include a broader range of conditions, including neurodevelopmental disorders, MS, PD, TBI, and the serious co-morbid aspects of these conditions, including mental health. The Centre is exploring new regions of the human genome and integrating emerging areas such as interceptive medicine, digital biomarkers, and biomolecular feedback-controlled gene therapy.

FutureNeuro’s work is supported by a robust national clinical network and key industry partners, leveraging state-of-the-art research infrastructure and expertise across its eight partner universities—RCSI University of Medicine and Health Sciences (host institution), Trinity College Dublin, Dublin City University, University College Dublin, University of Galway, University College Cork, Maynooth University, and South East Technological University. This collaborative approach ensures that their research spans the entire spectrum, from early discovery to translational studies and clinical trials, offering a comprehensive approach to tackling brain-related issues.

About ILAE Climate Change Commission

The ILAE Climate Change Commission was formed to investigate how the ILAE can change to help deliver on climate change and sustainability imperatives. The Commission works to spread information on sustainable activities and initiatives to ILAE members and other organizations, and to develop strategies for increasing awareness on the effects of climate change and measures to mitigate these in our practice.

The Commission’s initiatives include quantifying and promoting reduced carbon emissions associated with epilepsy-related research activities, using the breadth and reach of the ILAE. It also promotes research activities helping to understand the impact of climate change for people with epilepsy and epilepsy professionals. 

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