Neck Cooling as a Non-Invasive Method to Lower Brain Temperature in Healthy Adults

Effect of a Novel Cooling Device on Brain Temperature

The objective of this study was to clarify whether neck cooling can be used to non-invasively lower brain temperature in healthy adults.

Healthy adults were randomized to undergo an intervention in which either cold or body-temperature water was circulated through an adhesive wrap applied to the front of their necks, overlying the carotid arteries, for 120 minutes. After their first intervention, subjects crossed over (i.e., cold went to body-temperature, and vice-versa) on a separate day. Brain temperature was measured in one-minute intervals using MR thermometry.

Inclusion Criteria:

• Healthy adults aged 18-65 years

Exclusion Criteria:

• Pregnancy
• Contraindications to MRI (e.g. claustrophobia, metallic implants, etc.)
• Signs of ulcerations, burns, hives or rash where the neck wrap is applied
• History of Raynaud's disease, venous or arterial occlusive disease (e.g. carotid stenosis), cryoprecipitation disorders (e.g. cryoglobulinemia) and pernio (also known as chilblains)