Neurological disorders affect millions of people worldwide and the burden of these disorders is predicted to grow as these populations age. In just one example we face a looming global epidemic of Alzheimer’s disease.
In 2006 the worldwide prevalence of Alzheimer’s disease was 26.6 million. By 2050, the prevalence will quadruple by which time 1 in 85 persons worldwide – more than 100 million people - will be living with the disease. Modest advances in therapeutic and preventive strategies that lead to even small delays in Alzheimer’s onset and progression can significantly reduce the global burden of the disease.
But this is just one disorder. The number of people with Parkinson’s disease is predicted to double from 4.3 to 9 million people worldwide over the next 25 years. Stroke is predicted to become the second highest cause of death and is the leading cause of disability in New Zealand. Traumatic brain injury is the leading cause of death in young children and 12 per cent of people suffer from migraine.
The severe disability, high risk of brain damage, repeated hospitalizations and the need for ongoing care and rehabilitation makes these diseases expensive and feared.
The only way to find the strategies for treating and curing neurological disorders is through scientific research.

What can I do?
Keep your brain healthy! The Brain Awareness Week information offers advice on how to keep your brain healthy, how to foster our children’s brain potential and how to keep our minds sharp as we age.

What does the Neurological Foundation do?
The Foundation raises money for neurological research in New Zealand, largely through the generous contributions of individual New Zealanders. Last year it gave $1.6 million in grants. Further information about the research it has helped support can be found here: Grants and research

Support the Foundation by donating online or looking out for our appeal envelopes this week in the New Zealand Listener, New Zealand Herald, Bay of Plenty Times and Otago Daily Times.