Current challenges for research in neuroepidemiology

Abstract

I am delighted to introduce this excellent collection of contributions to our Round Table on Neuroepidemiology. With an ageing population, neurological diseases are increasingly adding to health care costs and disability. Epidemiological research is critical to establishing their prevalence and incidence, and providing information from which to estimate the burden of disease, health care costs and identify potential prevention strategies. Like any research practice, however, neuroepidemiological studies pose specific challenges, in terms of methodology, resources, and disentangling causal factors. The contributions included in this Round Table provide some insights into the idiosyncratic domains within which the studies are conducted, as well as some methods which might be extrapolated and applied in other areas. Show more