Epidemiology of Alzheimer’s Disease: Comparison between Africa and South America

Abstract

Alzheimer Disease (AD) is the most popular neurodegenerative disease of the last 25 years. Public leaders of sub-Saharan government and northern africa, as well as southern America; takes slowly the train in the global handling and management of AD. Disparities existed between north hemisphere and south hemisphere as studied by Allen et al., but the incidence and prevalence of AD are influenced by the same risk factors. The budget allowed to mental health also changes from one country to another, and the development of a global policy affects clearly the distribution of neurodegenerative disease in different areas. Previous studies reported the direct and indirect costs of AD as well as similar illnesses like Parkinson Disease and Dementia in a general population; but no recent investigation about prevalence or incidence was made in developing countries. Here, we investigated the global epidemiology of AD in southern America and africa. To address this aim, we computed data about prevalence, associated neurological disease, and incidence of AD. We compared after that statistics for the two continents. Findings revealed a prevalence and incidence of AD higher in south america compared with africa. Incidence increase faster in latin america than africa. This preliminary report show the necessity to explore more neurodegenerative disease in developing countries, to have a global point of view.