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Two Studies Detail Rising Neurological Disease Burden in China

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The Shifting Burden of Neurological Disease in China

Two comprehensive reports published in 2025 and 2026 document a significant and shifting burden of neurological diseases in mainland China, driven largely by population aging and showing notable regional and demographic variations.

Overview of the Studies

A study published in the Chinese Medical Journal on April 1, 2026 analyzed data from the Global Burden of Diseases, Injuries, and Risk Factors Study (GBD) 2021. Led by Professor Yamei Tang from Sun Yat-sen Memorial Hospital, Sun Yat-sen University, it examined the prevalence and burden of 12 neurological disorders from 1990 to 2021.

A separate report, the China Neurological Disorders Report 2024, was compiled by the National Center for Neurological Disorders and published in Brain Network Disorders on December 26, 2025. Led by Dr. Jing Yang and Dr. Guoguang Zhao from Xuanwu Hospital Capital Medical University, it analyzed over 15,000 publications to understand trends across ten major neurological disorders.

Key Findings for 2021

Data from the GBD 2021 study for mainland China in 2021 reported the following:

Prevalence (per 100,000 population)

The most prevalent conditions were:

  • Tension-type headache: 19,948.3
  • Migraine: 12,985.6
  • Ischemic stroke: 1,462.2

Mortality (per 100,000 population)

The leading causes of death were:

  • Intracerebral hemorrhage (ICH): 93.0
  • Ischemic stroke: 82.7
  • Dementia: 34.6

Disability-Adjusted Life Years (DALYs) (per 100,000 population)

The highest DALY rates were from:

  • Intracerebral hemorrhage (ICH): 1,930.3
  • Ischemic stroke: 1,646.8
  • Dementia: 708.0

The China Neurological Disorders Report 2024 identified cerebrovascular disease as the third leading cause of death among adults in China, with ischemic stroke accounting for approximately 72.8% of stroke cases.

Trends from 1990 to 2021

Analysis of trends from the GBD 2021 study showed a significant increase in the burden of neurological diseases.

Prevalence Increases

The fastest-growing conditions in terms of prevalence were:

  • Parkinson's disease: 544.1%
  • Dementia: 249.1%
  • Ischemic stroke: 161.5%

Prevalence increased for most disorders except idiopathic epilepsy.

DALY Rate Increases

The most rapid increases in DALY rates were for:

  • Dementia: 208.2%
  • Parkinson's disease: 160.7%
  • Ischemic stroke: 95.2%

The 2019-2021 Period

A joinpoint analysis identified a significant turning point in age-standardized prevalence rates for several disorders—including dementia, idiopathic epilepsy, multiple sclerosis, and tension-type headache—during this period, which coincides with the COVID-19 pandemic.

The study authors noted that causation cannot be confirmed, but possible mechanisms may include persistent cognitive impairment after SARS-CoV-2 infection and disruptions in healthcare access.

Demographic and Regional Variations

Both studies highlighted significant differences in disease burden based on age, sex, and geography.

Age

Age Group Leading Conditions Under 10 Idiopathic epilepsy and central nervous system cancers Ages 10-39 Migraines Ages 40-74 Intracerebral hemorrhage (ICH) and ischemic stroke Over 75 Ischemic stroke and dementia surpassed ICH Over 90 Dementia became the largest contributor

The China Neurological Disorders Report 2024 noted that the mean age at onset for amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) in China was lower than in populations from Europe and Japan.

Sex

  • Women had a higher prevalence of dementia and migraine.
  • DALY rates were similar between men and women.
  • Behavioral risk factors differed significantly:
    • Secondhand smoke and low physical activity contributed more to disease burden in women
    • Alcohol use, smoking, and high-sodium diets had a greater impact on men
  • The China Neurological Disorders Report 2024 reported that Alzheimer's disease and related dementias had higher prevalence and mortality in females.

Region

  • Ischemic stroke had the highest DALY rates in northern and northeastern China.
  • ICH ranked highest in other regions, particularly southwestern and northwestern China.
  • The China Neurological Disorders Report 2024 indicated a higher risk for cerebrovascular disease among populations in northern and central China compared to the south.

Modifiable Risk Factors

The GBD 2021 study identified high systolic blood pressure as the leading modifiable risk factor contributing to the neurological disease burden.

Interpretation and Implications

Authors of the GBD 2021 study stated that the findings indicate a transition in China's neurological disease burden from predominantly fatal conditions to predominantly disabling ones.

With population aging, neurodegenerative diseases like dementia and Parkinson's disease are becoming more prominent, while fatal cerebrovascular conditions like ICH are declining.

The studies conclude that the neurological disease burden in China continues to rise and is unevenly distributed. The findings are intended to provide data for policymakers and clinicians to develop preventive measures, refine management strategies, and allocate healthcare resources tailored to specific age groups, sexes, and regions.