Cerebral changes in experimental heatstroke

Summary

Experimental hyperthermia has been studied in 24 animals with particular reference to its effect on the central nervous system. In 9 of the animals evidence of damage to the blood-brain barrier for trypan blue was sought: 2 animals had slight barrier damage. The importance of this finding in relation to prolonged febrile illness has been discussed.

All experimental animals had histological evidence of neuronal damage. The Purkinje cells of the cerebellum and the hypothalamic neurones were particularly susceptible. The importance of this susceptibility in (a) permanent cerebellar damage, and (b) perpetuation of hyperthermia by febrile illness has also been discussed.