A recent study published in "Lancet Neurology" reveals that, as of 2021, more than 3 billion people worldwide were affected by neurological diseases. Over the past 20 years, there has been a noticeable global trend showing a roughly 20% increase in disabilities, illnesses, and premature deaths caused by neurological conditions. This shift marks the first time that neurological diseases have surpassed cardiovascular diseases as the leading cause of morbidity and disability worldwide.
Among the most prevalent neurological conditions are stroke, neonatal encephalopathy (brain injury), dementia, diabetic neuropathy, and autism spectrum disorders. Generally, these diseases tend to cause more disability in men than in women, although dementia affects more women. Diabetic neuropathy, fueled by the global rise in type 2 diabetes, is one of the fastest-growing neurological conditions. Additionally, the study highlights the emergence of new conditions, such as the neurological complications of COVID-19 (e.g., cognitive impairment), now appearing on the list for the first time.
On a positive note, improvements in prevention strategies (such as vaccines) and advancements in treatments have contributed to a decrease in the incidence of certain neurological diseases, including tetanus, meningitis, neural tube defects, and stroke. The study also examined the influence of modifiable risk factors on specific neurological diseases, particularly stroke and dementia. For instance, eliminating risk factors like high blood pressure, smoking, and high blood sugar could prevent more than 80% of stroke cases, while reducing high blood sugar could lower the risk of dementia by 20-25%.
In summary, neurological diseases now have a greater impact than ever before, surpassing cardiovascular diseases, which were long considered the leading cause of disability and morbidity. While these findings are alarming, they also serve as a call to action, urging global public health efforts to prioritize brain health. To address this growing crisis, several initiatives could and should be implemented:
Increase investments and resources focused on educating the public about neurological diseases.
Launch national campaigns to promote prevention strategies and therapies aimed at combating neurological diseases and improving brain health.
Develop and disseminate accessible guidelines for brain health, integrating these programs into healthcare systems to target different social and age groups.
The global community must now commit to prioritizing brain health in public health and economic strategies to reverse this troubling trend.
Domenico Praticò, MD, holds the position of the Scott Richards North Star Charitable Foundation Chair for Alzheimer’s Research and serves as a Professor and the Founding Director at the Alzheimer’s Center at Temple, as well as a Professor of Neural Sciences at Lewis Katz School of Medicine at Temple University.
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