Climate change spreads brain diseases.

In the complex environment of health impacts of global warming, one of the most serious and worrying issues is the spread of neurological diseases. Rising temperatures and changing climate patterns transform ecosystems, which not only affects the landscape, but also creates new conditions for the emergence and spread of neurological diseases.

One of the main ways in which these diseases are spread are zoonotic diseases. Climate change is moving animal populations into new areas and into closer proximity to humans, increasing the risk of pathogen transmission. For example, mosquito-borne diseases such as Japanese encephalitis and Zika are entering new locations as their vectors expand their range. Warmer temperatures are often beneficial to these insect-borne diseases, allowing them to survive in previously inhospitable areas and reproduce more quickly.

Climate change is also reviving hidden dangers such as the amoeba Naegleria fowleri, known for its ability to invade the brain. In warmer waters, these microbes can thrive, enter the brain through the nasal cavity and cause severe meningoencephalitis. Although such infections are rare, they almost always result in death—a stark reminder that the stakes are high in our warming world.

Another threat is the growing amount of neurotoxins. As the frequency and geographic spread of harmful algal blooms increases, so does the reach of toxins like BMAA, which is linked to neurodegenerative diseases like ALS and Alzheimer's. These toxins can bioaccumulate in the food chain, with emerging evidence that they can also become airborne, carried by sea mist and dust. In this way, they are no longer limited to food, but become part of our atmosphere. Combined with rising levels of mercury, another potent neurotoxin released from melting permafrost, it is increasingly difficult to avoid the neurological problems associated with climate change.

Taken together, these threats paint a disturbing picture. As the planet warms, so does the risk of neurological diseases, with the most vulnerable groups often at greatest risk. Addressing this challenge requires a collaborative, interdisciplinary effort that recognizes the deep connection between the health of the planet and the health of people. This is a difficult task that we cannot afford to ignore, as our mental health can literally be in the balance. (Co2AI)