Study suggests potential heatwave impact on epilepsy
8 Sep 2024
Heatwaves could be associated with an increase in abnormal brain activity among people with epilepsy, suggests a recent clinical study carried out by University College London (UCL).
The information was revealed by chance when a group of patients were receiving intracranial electroencephalography (icEEG) tests while being evaluated for surgery at the National Hospital for Neurology and Neurosurgery, between May and August, over a seven year period. The icEEG process involves tracking brain activity by inserting small electrodes into the brain, measuring electrical impulses.
By coincidence, the testing coincided with a number of heatwaves – defined as a minimum of three days with daily maximum temperatures exceeding 28 degrees Celsius. UCL researchers were able to compare brain activity as well as tracking seizures during these periods with non-heatwave periods.
Their data revealed both more seizures and more abnormal electrical brain activity in the heatwave periods. Discussing the research, published in Brain Communications, senior author professor Sanjay Sisodiya of UCL Queen Square Institute of Neurology commented:
“Our research shows that for some people with epilepsy – in particular those with the most severe epilepsies – higher ambient temperatures increase the likelihood of having seizures.
“This is an important finding, providing some of the first evidence that for some people who already have epilepsy, higher temperatures seen during heatwaves can make their condition worse.”
His team is now planning a larger study as the sample for the research was limited to just nine people, given the restricted use of icEEG. However, Sisodiya – who recently led a review of hundreds of papers exploring the effect of climate change on neurological diseases – emphasised that examining the impact of heatwaves on human brain activity was crucial.
Pic: Maggie Zahn
