The China Neurological Disorders Report 2024, compiled by the National Center for Neurological Disorders, China, has addressed the growing public health crisis of neurological disorders in the country, exacerbated by rapid population aging. The report aims to provide comprehensive epidemiological data to support the development of effective prevention and control strategies and to assist in healthcare resource allocation.
Report Methodology
The report analyzed over 15,000 Chinese and international publications to understand trends across ten major neurological disorders prevalent in the Chinese population. These disorders include:
- Cerebrovascular disease
- Dementia (including Alzheimer's disease)
- Parkinson's disease
- Epilepsy
- Central nervous system (CNS) tumors
- Traumatic brain injury (TBI)
- Multiple sclerosis (MS)
- Myasthenia gravis (MG)
- Headache and pain syndromes
- Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS)
Findings from this report were outlined by a research team, led by Dr. Jing Yang and Dr. Guoguang Zhao from the National Center for Neurological Disorders, Xuanwu Hospital Capital Medical University, China. Their findings were made available online on December 15, 2025, and published in Brain Network Disorders on December 26, 2025.
Key Findings
Cerebrovascular Disease
Cerebrovascular disease was identified as the third leading cause of death among adults in China. Ischemic stroke accounts for approximately 72.8% of stroke cases, with men showing a higher risk. Geographical distribution analysis indicated a higher risk among populations residing in the northern and central parts of the country compared to the south.
Neurodegenerative Disorders
- Alzheimer's Disease (AD) and related dementias: Affects approximately 16.99 million people in China, with higher prevalence and mortality observed in females.
- Parkinson's Disease: The number of current patients is estimated at 3.62 million and is increasing rapidly.
- Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis (ALS): The mean age at onset for ALS patients in China was reported to be lower than in populations from Europe and Japan.
The report also detailed unique demographic patterns for CNS tumors, TBI, MS, and MG.
Implications
The study highlights marked heterogeneity in neurological disorders across populations and regions, with many diseases closely linked to aging and sex-related disparities. These findings aim to provide actionable insights for clinicians and policymakers to develop preventive measures and enhance healthcare allocation tailored to specific age groups or sexes, thereby contributing to the refinement of management and prevention strategies for neurological conditions in China.