[A neuro-epidemiologic survey in a Limousin town]

One characteristic of the Limousin district is the raised average age of its population. Given the growing average age found in France and the ensuing potential problems, it was thought useful to undertake a neuro-epidemiological study of the distribution of neurological diseases in this region. The initial step involved checking the techniques to be used and the form of questionnaire relevant to this type of study. Following W.H.O. recommendations, the total population of one small town was surveyed, and the distribution of various neurological ailments was thus measured (headaches, migraine, cluster headaches: 12.73 p. 100, transient ischemic attack: 1.89 p. 100, stroke: 1.36 p. 100, epilepsy: 1.68 p. 100. Parkinson's disease 1.47 p. 100, dementia: 0.31 p. 100, misc: 0.84 p. 100). These figures were compared with the results from similar pilot projects carried out elsewhere around the world. The results obtained in this preliminary study enabled us to perfect the methods, and to perform a more extensive survey of a representative cross section of the Limousin population. This larger study will be published later.