Interesting Information about Neurological Disorders
In the January 30, 2007 issue of Neurology, there has been an up-to-date review of the “most common neurological disorders” in the US done by the American Academy of Neurology.
Here are some points from the article:
* 1 in 1,000 people have multiple sclerosis (MS). “Our estimate of MS prevalence is about 50 percent higher than a comprehensive review from 1982. Whether this reflects improvements in diagnosis or whether incidence is actually increasing deserves further study,” said one of the study authors Deborah Hirtz, MD, with the National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke at the National Institutes of Health, and a member of the American Academy of Neurology.
* 10 in 1,000 elderly Americans have Parkinson’s disease.
* 4 in every 100,000 have Lou Gherig’s disease (ALS).
* 67 in 1,000 of eldery Americans have Alzheimer’s disease.
* 101 in 1,000 Americans have a traumatic brain injury each year; which is a 50% drop in the past estimate. This may be due to major improvements in motor vehicle saftey.
* 183 in every 100,000 people suffer a stroke each year, and 1% of Americans has had a stroke in the past.
* 5 in every 100,000 Americans have a new onset spinal cord injury.
* 6 in every 1,000 American children are born with autism.
* 2 in every 1,000 children have cerebral palsy.
“Current, accurate estimates of the numbers of people affected by neurological disorders are needed to understand the burden of these conditions on patients, families, and society, to plan and carry out research on their causes and treatment, and to provide adequate services to people who suffer from these illnesses,” said Hirtz, who is also a member of the Quality Standards Subcommittee at the American Academy of Neurology.
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