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Neurodegenerative diseases:
hidden emergency

Alzheimer's, Parkinson's, ataxia and multiple sclerosis are diseases that should and can be stopped. IRET Foundation works to achieve this great goal which directly concerns all of us.

ALZHEIMER

• affects people over 50 years
• the prevalence increases with age and doubles between 65 and 85 years
• is greater in women
• about 900.000 cases in Italy
• 6 million in Europe, 18 million worldwide

MULTIPLE SCLEROSIS

• affects people between 15 and 50 years
• about 57.000 cases in Italy
• 1 per 1.100 inhabitants is affected, every 700 inhabitants in Sardinia
• 1.800 cases each year
• 400.000 cases in Europe, 1.3 million worldwide

PARKINSON

• it strikes a mean age of 55 years, but cases are increasing around age 40
• it is more common in men
• about 250,000 cases in Italy
• in Europe 1.5 million, 4.3 million worldwide

ATAXIA

• rare genetic disorder
• lack a complete census
• about 5,000 cases in Italy
• Friedreich's ataxia: 1.500 cases in Italy, 50.000 in the world
• 1 child / adolescent every 50.000 inhabitants