[Neurology today]

Neurological disorders are common worldwide, regardless of race, nationality, age, sex, education or social status. They are a major cause of human suffering and mortality. The burden of neurological disorders in the community usually correlates with the proportion of the population aged 65 years and over. According to the latest reports of the World Health Organization (WHO), one billion of the world's population (one in six people) suffer from, and about 6.8 million (one in a thousand people) die annually from neurological disorders. In Europe, the economic cost of neurological diseases was estimated at about 139 billion euros in 2004.

Stroke is the most frequent neurological disorder, and the most common cause of severe disability compared to other diseases. Research into the genetics of stroke has shown advances in prevention, treatment and neuroprotection of the brain parenchyma. The rapid advances in the field of diagnostics are especially useful, particularly MRI, CT angiography and ultrasonography, providing early detection of changes in the blood vessels and the brain.

The diagnosis of multiple sclerosis (MS) is usually based on clearly defined McDonald criteria. In the management of MS, early diagnosis of clinically definite MA as well as of clinically isolated syndrome, allow early initiation of immunomodulatory therapy.

The prevalence of dementia is age-dependent, and it is higher in subjects aged 60 and over, but it doubles with every five years of age. The population over 65 years and the incidence of age-dependent diseases, are ever increasing. According to reports published in December 2005, the annual incidence of dementia ranges from 5.4-9.4%. PARKINSON'S DISEASE: As the population is growing older, more and more people are vulnerable to Parkinson's disease (PD). It is a neurodegenerative disease which occurs in 10-13 per 100,000 people annually, while its prevalence in Europe ranges from 60-187 per 100,000 people. The diagnosis is primarily based on clinical findings, while neuroimaging techniques, such as brain CT and MRI, are used in the differential diagnosis.