Neurologic disorders can result from injury to the brain or spinal cord as well as biochemical and unknown causes. Scientists have identified more than 600 diseases of the nervous system. Here’s what you need to know about some of the most common neurologic conditions.
- About 1 in 26 people will develop epilepsy at some time during their life
- Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis, also known as Lou Gehrig’s disease, affects 2 out of about 100,000 people, with 5,600 diagnosed every year in the United States.
- One in three U.S. seniors dies with Alzheimer’s disease or another dementia.
- Autism is one of the fastest growing developmental disorders in the United States, affecting 1 in 68 children and 1 in 42 boys.
- As many as 1 million Americans live with Parkinson’s disease, which is more than the combined number of people diagnosed with multiple sclerosis, muscular dystrophy and ALS.