Neurologic disorders are estimated to account for 11.6% of the total global burden of disability-adjusted life-years and represent the underlying cause of 16.5% of total global deaths.
Brain diseases alone, more than 1000 of them, affect 100 million Americans.
An estimated 100 million people in the US will experience a serious brain disorder during their lifetime.
Neurologic disorders tend to have significant symptom burden, variable disease course, and poor prognosis that affects the patients, families, and their caregivers.
The aging of populations are associated with increased prevalence of neurologic disorders and associated health care burden.
Neurologic disorders affect physical functioning, cognitive skills, potentially lead to behavioral and communication problems and risk of suicide.
Neurologic diseases often are incurable and progressive, associated with major morbidity and mortality.
The majority of common neurologic diseases are polygenic, caused by cumulative small effects from mutations in many genomic loci: Alzheimer’s disease, Parkinson’s disease, migraine.
Palliative care is useful in many patients with neurologic conditions, with an emphasis on managing symptoms, maintaining mobility, adjusting to functional and cognitive decline, and supporting caregivers.
Brain disease may range from autism in children, to mood disorders, addiction, neurodegenerative diseases, and stroke.