Countries need to work together to tackle brain diseases

Globally, stroke, migraine and dementia are the largest causes of neurological disability‑adjusted life years (DALYs)¹. DALYs for a disease or health condition are calculated as the sum of the Years of Life Lost (YLL) due to premature mortality in the population and the Years Lost due to Disability (YLD) for people living with the health condition or its consequences². Lars Stovner (Norwegian University of Science and Technology, Trondheim, Norway) explained the significant contribution of headaches to this disease burden, despite rarely causing premature mortality or YLL. Present in younger/middle age groups, headaches have a profound impact on YLD. Migraine is the leading cause of disability in under 50s³. This carries a significant economic cost, estimated to be 111 billion euros annually in the European Union⁴, largely due to work absence and reduced productivity.

Stroke, migraine and dementia are the largest causes of neurological DALYs

The burden of neurological disease is undeniable, but treatment gaps still exist despite the availability of effective treatments, explained Devora Kestel (Department of Mental Health and Substance Use, World Health Organization [WHO]), with inequalities between countries in access to services and support⁵.

Treatment gaps still exist despite the availability of effective treatments

Worldwide, there needs to be an integrated approach to brain health across the life course, stressed Dr Kestel, who heads the WHO Brain Health Unit. Recent WHO initiatives for promoting brain health include a ‘Global Action Plan on the Public Health Response to Dementia’⁶.  Alla Guekht (Moscow Research and Clincal Center for Neuropsychiatry, Russia) also discussed the importance of the recent WHO report ‘Epilepsy: a public health imperative’⁷.

Integrated approach to brain health across the life course

At a national level, treatment pathways such as structured headache services are needed, proposed Dr Stovner. This top to bottom approach includes making politicians aware of the burden of disease and potential for cost saving, offering education and management guidelines to healthcare professionals and pharmacists, and supporting patients in better self‑care and use of over‑the‑counter medications.

Top to bottom approach includes supporting patients in better self-care

Increased awareness of the interaction between neurological diseases also requires a joined up approach. David Tanne (Stroke and Cognition Institute, Israel) described the links between dementia and stroke, with even small subcortical infarcts having the potential to lead to secondary neurodegeneration⁸. The Berlin Manifesto put forward by the World Stroke Organization proposes that 35% of dementias and 90% of strokes have modifiable risk factors, and over one third of dementia cases could be preventable by preventing stroke⁹. For the individual patient, modifying lifestyle factors and addressing comorbidities are crucial.