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. 2022;56(5):309-318.
doi: 10.1159/000525639. Epub 2022 Jun 21.

Descriptive Epidemiology of Neurodegenerative Diseases: What Are the Critical Questions?

Giancarlo Logroscino  1   2 , Daniele Urso  1   3 , Rodolfo Savica  4   5
Affiliations

Descriptive Epidemiology of Neurodegenerative Diseases: What Are the Critical Questions?

Giancarlo Logroscino et al. Neuroepidemiology. 2022.

Abstract

The field of neurodegenerative diseases is a major challenge faced by public health and is still in need of robust preventive measures and disease-modifying treatments. Population-based studies can offer the framework in the context of primary and secondary prevention of neurodegenerative diseases. The epidemiology of neurodegenerative disorders in the last decades has focused on descriptive studies mainly based on the use of clinical criteria. However, clinical definition is basically insufficient both to well-characterize different phenotypes and to make an early diagnosis. Descriptive epidemiology needs a new framework to update the area of neurodegenerative research, based on the advancement of both clinical and biological diagnostic criteria and the urgency for an early diagnosis of the disease. In here, we address the present and future of population-based studies in neurodegenerative disorders and discuss the shift of paradigms in the diagnosis of disease and disease definition. We further debate the changes in biomarker implementation models and type of biomarkers used in population-based studies. Descriptive epidemiology of neurodegenerative disorders is rapidly evolving. These implementations will improve the future design and outcome of population-based studies and policy-making in public health intervention.

Keywords: Aging-related diseases; Alzheimer’s disease; Biomarkers; Dementia; Epidemiology; Parkinson’s disease; Population-based studies; Public health.

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Conflict of interest statement

The authors have no conflicts of interest to declare.

Figures

Fig. 1
Fig. 1
Preclinical epidemiology timeline of alpha-synucleinopathies.
Fig. 2
Fig. 2
Natural history and spectrum of alpha-synucleinopathies.
Fig. 3
Fig. 3
Development of biomarker-validated phenotypes using in aging populations. The first level of biomarkers development relies on molecular-biology biomarkers which could identify individuals belonging to the disease spectrum in large, aging populations with and without a neurological diagnosis at baseline. The second level in biomarkers development will emerge from exploratory, unbiased, nonhypothesis-driven approach.
See this image and copyright information in PMC

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