Parkinson’s disease has emerged as one of the fastest-growing neurological disorders worldwide, with experts projecting a dramatic surge in cases of the progressive brain disorder over the coming decades.
A recent study published in the BMJ medical journal predicts that the number of people affected worldwide could more than double – from 11.9 million in 2021 to over 25 million by 2050.
The biggest increases are expected in countries with large populations like China, India and the United States.
While Parkinson’s often reveals itself through visible signs such as tremors, slowed movement and trouble with balance, experts say the disease starts developing long before symptoms appear – in what is known as the “silent phase”.
This makes early detection and preventive care especially important.
Parkinson’s occurs when nerve cells in the brain that produce dopamine – a chemical crucial for movement – begin to die.
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