The Expanding Burden of Neurodegenerative Diseases: An Unmet Medical and Social Need

Abstract

Neurodegenerative diseases, particularly Alzheimer's disease and other dementias as well as Parkinson's disease, are emerging as profoundly significant challenges and burdens to global health, a trend highlighted by the most recent Global Burden of Disease (GBD) 2021 studies. This growing impact is closely linked to the demographic shift toward an aging population and the potential long-term repercussions of the COVID-19 pandemic, both of which have intensified the prevalence and severity of these conditions. In this review, we explore several critical aspects of this complex issue, including the increasing global burden of neurodegenerative diseases, unmet medical and social needs within current care systems, the unique and amplified challenges posed by the COVID-19 pandemic, and potential strategies for enhancing healthcare policy and practice. We underscore the urgent need for cohesive, multidisciplinary approaches across medical, research, and policy domains to effectively address the increasing burden of neurodegenerative diseases, thereby improving the quality of life for patients and their caregivers.

Figure 1.

Current global burden of neurodegenerative diseases, such as Alzheimer’s disease and other dementias, and Parkinson’s disease. Global burdens (A), age profiles (B), trends (C and D), and geographical distributions (E and F) of disability-adjusted life-years (DALYs) of neurodegenerative diseases, such as Alzheimer’s disease and other dementias, and Parkinson’s disease according to the Global Burden of Disease (GBD) studies 2021. Sub-Saharan Africa, Sub-Saharan Africa; S Asia, South Asia; MENA, North Africa, and the Middle East; SE & E Asia & Oceania, Southeast Asia, East Asia, and Oceania; Latin Am & Caribbean, Latin America and the Caribbean; C & E Europe & C Asia, Central Europe, Eastern Europe, and Central Asia; HI, high income. Regions were stratified based on the GBD super-regions, which group countries and territories that share similar geographic characteristics, epidemiological profiles, and causes of death. All panels were drawn via GBD. Compare Data Visualization tools with data from GBD 2021 estimates. Source: Institute for Health Metrics and Evaluation, University of Washington. Used with permission. All rights reserved.

Figure 2.

Forecasts for global burden of neurodegenerative diseases, such as Alzheimer’s disease and other dementias, and Parkinson’s disease. Foresights for trends of burdens to 2050 (A and B), annual changes from 2021 to 2050 (C), global burdens in 2050 (D and E), and geographical distributions in 2050 (F) on disability-adjusted life-years (DALYs) of neurodegenerative diseases such as Alzheimer’s disease and other dementias and Parkinson’s disease by Global Burden of Disease (GBD) studies 2021. Sub-Saharan Africa, Sub-Saharan Africa; S Asia, South Asia; MENA, North Africa, and the Middle East; SE & E Asia & Oceania, Southeast Asia, East Asia, and Oceania; Latin Am & Caribbean, Latin America and the Caribbean; C & E Europe & C Asia, Central Europe, Eastern Europe, and Central Asia; HI, high income. Regions were stratified based on the GBD super-regions, which group countries and territories that share similar geographic characteristics, epidemiological profiles, and causes of death. All panels were drawn via GBD Compare Data Visualization tools with data from GBD 2021 forecasts. Source: Institute for Health Metrics and Evaluation, University of Washington. Used with permission. All rights reserved.