Epidemiology of neurological diseases in China: Key insights from the 2024 report of the National Center for Neurological Disorders

Neurological disorders pose a severe public health challenge in China, with substantial impacts on mortality, disability, and socioeconomic burden, especially in the context of population aging. This study synthesizes key findings from the China Neurological Disorders Report 2024 (compiled by the National Center for Neurological Disorders) to systematically outline the epidemiology of ten major neurological disorders in China, including cerebrovascular disease, dementia/Alzheimer's disease (AD), Parkinson's disease, epilepsy, central nervous system (CNS) tumors, traumatic brain injury (TBI), multiple sclerosis (MS), myasthenia gravis (MG), headache and pain syndromes, and amyotrophic lateral sclerosi (ALS). Cerebrovascular disease remains a leading cause of death, with ischemic stroke accounting for approximately 72.8 ​% of stroke cases and distinct north-south geographic disparities in China. AD and related dementias affect 16.99 million Chinese (29.8 ​% of the global total), with higher prevalence and mortality in females. Parkinson's disease prevalence is rising rapidly, with an estimated 3.62 million current patients and forecasts of 4.79 million by 2030. Epilepsy impacts over nine million people, while CNS tumors, TBI, MS, and MG exhibit unique demographic patterns. Notable trends include increasing disease burdens from neurodegenerative disorders linked to aging, ​sex ​disparities (higher female prevalence in AD, higher male incidence in Parkinson's disease ​and CNS tumors), and regional variations. These standardized, multi-source data address gaps in fragmented prior research, providing a robust scientific basis for healthcare resource allocation, clinical practice optimization, and policy development. Future efforts should focus on expanding data coverage, long-term cohort studies, and interdisciplinary research to enhance precise prevention and management of neurological disorders in China.