Impact of Extreme Temperature Exposure on Rat Behavior: A Comprehensive Review

Heat stress represents a critical environmental and physiological challenge, with profound implications for central nervous system function and behavioral regulation. This short review consolidates recent findings on the behavioral alterations observed in rats subjected to acute hyperthermia, with an emphasis on anxiety-like behavior, emotionality, and locomotor activity. Experimental evidence from open field, elevated plus maze, and novel object recognition tests indicates that elevated ambient temperatures (typically above 42°C) induce significant anxiety-related and cognitive deficits. These changes are likely mediated by thermally induced neuroinflammation, blood–brain barrier disruption, and oxidative stress, which impair hippocampal and cortical functioning. Understanding these behavioral signatures provides a foundational framework for developing predictive models and targeted interventions against heat-induced neurological and psychological impairments.