Temperature matters: Insights into brain thermoregulation and its impact on neural activity and health

Temperature affects the kinetics of all biochemical processes. Consequently, brain temperature is a key factor in neuronal excitability and synaptic function, with significant implications for both physiological and pathological brain activity. Recent studies have refined our understanding of the principles underlying brain thermoregulation and enhanced thermometric techniques could open new avenues for therapeutic strategies.In this review, we highlight the biological basis of thermal homeostasis in the brain: Heat generated by metabolic activity is removed by dynamically adjusted cerebral blood flow. We then explore advances in non-invasive brain thermometry and consider challenges of accurate temperature measurement. As brain temperature is tightly regulated, we discuss how disruptions in the process fundamental to thermoregulation might impact pathophysiology in two prevalent neural diseases: Alzheimer’s disease, where vascular dysfunction and metabolic decline may impair thermoregulation, and brain cancer, where altered metabolism and disrupted vascular networks might create complex thermal profiles. Finally, the review concludes on broader implications of temperature regulation, including climate change’s impact on neural health and potential temperature-based therapies in neuroprotection and neuromodulation.