Brain temperature is increasingly recognized as an active regulator of brain function with important implications for neurological disorders. This editorial explores the role of brain temperature across molecular, cellular, and network levels, highlighting its influence on neuronal excitability, synaptic efficiency, and large-scale connectivity. Because even small temperature fluctuations can significantly affect ion channel dynamics and neural signaling, thereby influencing cognitive processes such as attention and memory. Disturbances in brain temperature are closely associated with neuroinflammation and neurodegeneration. Localized hyperthermia may exacerbate oxidative stress, mitochondrial dysfunction, and neuronal injury. These findings suggest that optimal thermal balance is critical for maintaining neuronal integrity. Therapeutically, it has been demonstrated that temperature modulation, particularly hypothermia, has neuroprotective effects in acute brain injury by reducing metabolic demand and inflammation. However, its role in chronic neurodegenerative conditions remains unclear. A major limitation in this field is the lack of reliable, non-invasive methods for measuring brain temperature in vivo. In conclusion, integrating thermodynamic principles into neuroscience may provide novel insights, biomarkers, and therapeutic strategies for neurological diseases.
Çankaya et al. (2026) studied this question.