This Brain Disease Is Set To Double Worldwide By 2050. Are We Prepared? What Scientists Say.

Yahoo

12-03-2025

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While a lot of new scientific studies are focused on better understanding and treating the most common neurodegenerative disorder, Alzheimer's disease, diagnoses in the second-most common one, Parkinson's disease, are steadily increasing. In fact, new research suggests that Parkinson's cases may actually double by 2050, which raises a lot of questions about why this might be happening and how you can lower your risk.
It's important to be aware that there are still a lot of mysteries surrounding Parkinson's, a progressive nervous system disorder that makes it difficult to control movement in your body, including what causes the disease in the first place. But the latest scientific findings suggest that it's really important we pay close attention to Parkinson's and focus on developing better diagnostics and therapeutics.
Here's what the study found, plus what neurologists want you to know about lowering your risk profile.
Meet the experts: Amit Sachdev, MD, MS, medical director in the Department of Neurology at Michigan State University; Daniel Truong, MD, neurologist and medical director of the Truong Neuroscience Institute at MemorialCare Orange Coast Medical Center in Fountain Valley, CA and editor in chief of the Journal of Clinical Parkinsonism and Related Disorders
In the study, which was published in The BMJ, researchers analyzed data from 195 countries and territories using the 2021 Global Burden of Disease Study. From there, they estimated how common Parkinson's disease is based on a slew of factors, including a person's age and sex, from 2022 to 2050.
The researchers estimated that the number of people living with Parkinson's disease around the world would hit 25.2 million by 2050, which is a whopping 112 percent jump from 2021.
'By 2050, Parkinson's disease will have become a greater public health challenge for patients, their families, caregivers, communities, and society,' the researchers wrote in their conclusion.
First, it's important to emphasize that these datapoints are just estimates—it's not an absolute guarantee that Parkinson's rates will double over time. However, the data currently suggests that it will.
The researchers had a few theories about what could be behind this growth in cases, including the fact that the overall population will be aging, while also still growing. The condition is 'primarily a disease of late life," says Amit Sachdev, MD, MS, medical director in the Department of Neurology at Michigan State University. And, as people get older, the risk of developing Parkinson's disease goes up. So, it goes to reason that if there are more older people on the earth, the likelihood of increased Parkinson's cases also increases.
Something else to consider, per Dr. Sachdev: Doctors are getting better at properly detecting and diagnosing the condition, which can also causes rates to increase.
Still, that doesn't completely explain the big jump. 'We know how Parkinson's disease happens, but we don't know what triggers the process,' says Dr. Sachdev.
With higher rates of Parkinson's disease comes an even greater need for caregivers. People with Parkinson's require daily living assistance, mobility support, medication management, and emotional care, according to Daniel Truong, MD, neurologist and medical director of the Truong Neuroscience Institute at MemorialCare Orange Coast Medical Center in Fountain Valley, CA and editor in chief of the Journal of Clinical Parkinsonism and Related Disorders.
'The progressive nature of Parkinson's disease means that caregiving demands will intensify over time, contributing to longer hours and increased physical and emotional strain,' he says.
Caregivers may also need specialized training to help loved ones manage Parkinson's disease symptoms, per Dr. Truong, who adds that there will likely be a higher-than-ever increased risk of caregiver burnout.
Caregivers may end up bogged down with other responsibilities while trying to support parents or loved ones in their Parkinson's journey, too.
'Folks are waiting longer to have their own children. Their parents are living longer and diseases of slow progressive loss like Parkinson's disease are being managed but not cured,' Dr. Sachdev says. 'This means people are living longer with these diseases and caretakers are finding themselves supporting their older relatives and their younger children at the same time.'
Remember, doctors don't really know what causes Parkinson's, but according to the Mayo Clinic, risk factors for Parkinson's disease can include:
Being older (symptoms usually start around age 50)
Having one or more first-degree relatives with the condition
Being male
Being repeatedly exposed to toxins like herbicides and pesticides
This is a little tricky, given that the exact cause of Parkinson's isn't known. 'There is no [known] way to avoid Parkinson's disease,' Dr. Sachdev says. 'However, there are ways to support healthier brains [which] are more resilient and can support function longer.'
Dr. Truong recommends taking these steps to support your brain health:
Get regular physical activity
Follow a Mediterranean or DASH diet
Try to avoid toxins and environmental exposures
Avoid head trauma
Keep your gut healthy by eating plenty of foods rich in probiotics and fiber
Try to manage stress
Get quality sleep
Stay mentally and socially active
Manage chronic conditions like diabetes, high cholesterol, and hypertension
Basically, taking care of your overall health can also protect your brain. 'While Parkinson's disease cannot be entirely prevented, a healthy lifestyle, avoiding toxins, regular exercise, and good sleep may significantly lower the risk,' Dr. Truong says.
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