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

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.

Watch the film