The Role of Environmental Stressors in Neurocritical Patient Outcomes: Volume II

Environmental factors play a pivotal role in shaping patient outcomes within neurocritical care, a discipline dedicated to the management of acute and life-threatening neurological conditions. Following the momentum of Volume 1, which explored how climate change influences neurological health and neurocritical management, a broader understanding of environmental stressors has emerged as an urgent frontier. Beyond global climate impacts, acute factors such as hospital air quality, noise levels, light exposure, thermal variability, and stress-inducing surroundings may directly influence pathophysiological mechanisms, neuroinflammation, and neurological recovery. Recent research has highlighted how these physical and psychological stressors contribute to altered cerebral perfusion, metabolic imbalance, and cognitive dysfunction post-injury. Yet, despite growing awareness, empirical evidence connecting modifiable environmental factors to neurological outcomes remains limited, and the integration of environmental considerations into critical care protocols is inconsistent across clinical settings. Thus, to progress the dialogue initiated in Volume 1, there is a compelling need to examine the full spectrum of environmental determinants that impact neurocritical patients at both individual and systemic levels.

This Research Topic aims to deepen the investigation into the links between environmental stressors and neurological recovery, advancing multidisciplinary approaches to mitigation and adaptation. Specifically, it seeks to identify how environmental exposures ranging from ambient hospital conditions to community-level hazards interact with patient physiology, neuroimmunity, and clinical outcomes. The goal is to elucidate biological pathways that mediate vulnerability and resilience, generate actionable evidence for optimizing care environments, and explore adaptive interventions that enhance neurological recovery in the face of environmental challenges. By fostering collaboration among neuroscientists, clinicians, environmental health experts, and policymakers, this Research Topic seeks to translate emerging data into practical frameworks for resilient neurocritical systems worldwide.

To gather further insights into the intersection of environmental stress and neurocritical outcomes, we welcome contributions that combine empirical data, conceptual analysis, and translational frameworks. Submissions may address, but are not limited to, the following themes:

• Mechanistic studies on how temperature, humidity, air quality, or sound modulate neurocognitive recovery and neuroinflammation

• Effects of ICU design, lighting, and noise on cerebral metabolism, circadian rhythms, and neuroplasticity

• Urban environmental hazards, pollution, and disaster exposure as modifiers of neurocritical outcomes

• Technological and architectural innovations for optimizing neuro‐ICU environments

• Integration of environmental monitoring and AI-based predictive models into neurocritical care systems

• Socio-environmental inequities and their role in post-injury neurological recovery and access to care

• Policy recommendations for building environmentally resilient neurocritical care infrastructures

Volume I: https://www.frontiersin.org/research-topics/43025/the-role-of-environmental-stressors-in-neurocritical-patient-outcomes