Hyperthermia induced pathophysiology of the central nervous system H. S. Sharma A1, P. J. Hoopes A2 A1 Laboratory of Neuroanatomy, Department of Medical Cell Biology, Biomedical Centre, Uppsala University, SE-75123 Uppsala, Sweden A2 Departments of Surgery and Radiation Oncology, Dartmouth Medical School and the Thayer School of Engineering, Dartmouth College Hanover, NH 03756, USA 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) induced thermal stress in Human cases as well as whole body hyperthermia (WBH) in animal studies. Pathological changes can be observed in the nerve cells and glial cells in Humans following mild-to-moderate thermal exposure. On the other hand, morphological changes in the axons, nerve cells, glial cells and vascular endothelium is seen at the cellular and the molecular levels in rats subjected to heat exposure at 38°C for 4 h (body temperature > 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. International Journal of Hyperthermia Volume 19, Number 3 / May 2003 325 - 354 Remember we are NOT Doctors and have NO medical training. This site is like an Encylopedia - there are many pages, many links on many topics. Support our work with any size DONATION - see left side of any page - for how to donate. You can help raise awareness of CAM.