Predicting brain temperature in humans using bioheat models: Progress and outlook

J Cereb Blood Flow Metab. 2023 Jun;43(6):833-842. doi: 10.1177/0271678X231162173. Epub 2023 Mar 8.

Abstract

Brain temperature, regulated by the balance between blood circulation and metabolic heat generation, is an important parameter related to neural activity, cerebral hemodynamics, and neuroinflammation. A key challenge for integrating brain temperature into clinical practice is the lack of reliable and non-invasive brain thermometry. The recognized importance of brain temperature and thermoregulation in both health and disease, combined with limited availability of experimental methods, has motivated the development of computational thermal models using bioheat equations to predict brain temperature. In this mini-review, we describe progress and the current state-of-the-art in brain thermal modeling in humans and discuss potential avenues for clinical applications.

Keywords: Brain thermal model; bioheat equations; brain temperature; therapeutic hypothermia; thermal ablation.

Publication types

  • Review
  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Body Temperature Regulation / physiology
  • Body Temperature*
  • Brain
  • Hemodynamics
  • Hot Temperature
  • Humans
  • Models, Biological*
  • Temperature