Hyperthermia induced pathophysiology of the central nervous system

Abstract
This review is focused on the pathophysiology of the central nervous system (CNS) associated with mild-to-moderate hyperthermia (body temperature > 37°C but 40°C but <42°C). This effect depends on the age of the animals and their prior thermal experiences. Taken together, heat stress induced hyperthermia, once believed to be non-toxic in the mammalian CNS, do produce specific alterations in the CNS that may have long-term behavioural, physiological and neuropathological consequences. The probable mechanism(s) underlying hyperthermia induced brain pathology is discussed.