The expanding burden of neurological disorders

New estimates of the global, regional, and national burden of disorders affecting the nervous system are reported in an updated analysis from the Global Burden of Diseases, Injuries, and Risk Factors Study (GBD) 2021. 1 GBD 2021 Nervous System Disorders CollaboratorsGlobal, regional, and national burden of disorders affecting the nervous system, 1990–2021: a systematic analysis for the Global Burden of Disease Study 2021. Lancet Neurol. 2024; (published online Mar 14.)https://doi.org/10.1016/S1474-4422(24)00038-3 Google Scholar In their Article in The Lancet Neurology, the GBD 2021 Nervous System Disorders Collaborators report mortality, prevalence, years lived with disability (YLDs), years of life lost (YLLs), and disability-adjusted life-years (DALYs) attributable to diseases and conditions that cause dysfunction of the nervous system. The new report builds upon previous GBD analyses, 2 GBD 2016 Neurology CollaboratorsGlobal, regional, and national burden of neurological disorders, 1990–2016: a systematic analysis for the Global Burden of Disease Study 2016. Lancet Neurol. 2019; 18: 459-480 Summary Full Text Full Text PDF PubMed Scopus (2582) Google Scholar which have established global standards for the estimation of the burden of diseases, by including data up to 2021 and by expanding the number of studied conditions substantially, from 15 to 37. Global, regional, and national burden of disorders affecting the nervous system, 1990–2021: a systematic analysis for the Global Burden of Disease Study 2021As the leading cause of overall disease burden in the world, with increasing global DALY counts, effective prevention, treatment, and rehabilitation strategies for disorders affecting the nervous system are needed. Full-Text PDF Open AccessIncreasing awareness of the need for brain healthNeurological disorders are affecting the lives of increasing numbers of people. New data from the Global Burden of Disease, Injuries, and Risk Factors Study (GBD) indicate that, in 2021, 3·4 billion people—more than 40% of the world's population—had a condition affecting the nervous system, and that the associated health loss is increasing. The findings, together with several new initiatives, highlight the need for greater recognition of the burden of neurological disorders, and for urgent action. Full-Text PDF