The cost of treating brain disorders, such as depression, insomnia,
Parkinson's and stroke, has more than doubled in just six years,
according to a study.
Researchers warn of a financial "ticking timebomb" across Europe, with one in three people in 2010 suffering a brain disorder or caring for somebody with one, a figure that is on the rise.
In the UK, 9.7 million people are thought to have a brain disorder, at a cost of more than 134 billion euro (around £116 billion) a year. Overall, almost 800 billion euro (£689 billion) is now spent across Europe every year on dealing with these disorders.
Experts examined 30 countries and 19 groups of disorders, including anxiety disorders, addictions, brain tumours, childhood and adolescent developmental disorders, dementia, eating disorders, epilepsy, migraine, multiple sclerosis, Parkinson's, sleep disorders, stroke and traumatic brain injury.
Mood disorders, such as depression and bipolar, are thought to be the most costly group, at more than 113 billion euro (£97 billion) each year, with 33.3 million sufferers. Dementia is a close second at just over 105 billion euro (£90 billion), with more than 88 billion euro (£76 billion) of that coming from costs such as social care.
The number of people suffering brain disorders is expected to rise as people live longer.
"We have to emphasise that the burden of disorder of the brain will likely increase further, simply due to the continuing life expectancy in Europe," the experts said. "Because of the ageing European population, degenerative disorders are particularly destined to become more common, such as dementia, Parkinson's disease and stroke, but anxiety and mood disorders are also very prevalent at high age."
The team, writing in the journal European Neuropsychopharmacology, said dealing with brain disorders represents "the number one economic challenge for European healthcare now and in the future".
They call for more investment in science and teaching, including time spent on brain disorders in medical schools. And they warn their figures are "very conservative" and almost certainly an underestimate.
The experts came from universities and hospitals across Europe.
Researchers warn of a financial "ticking timebomb" across Europe, with one in three people in 2010 suffering a brain disorder or caring for somebody with one, a figure that is on the rise.
In the UK, 9.7 million people are thought to have a brain disorder, at a cost of more than 134 billion euro (around £116 billion) a year. Overall, almost 800 billion euro (£689 billion) is now spent across Europe every year on dealing with these disorders.
Experts examined 30 countries and 19 groups of disorders, including anxiety disorders, addictions, brain tumours, childhood and adolescent developmental disorders, dementia, eating disorders, epilepsy, migraine, multiple sclerosis, Parkinson's, sleep disorders, stroke and traumatic brain injury.
Mood disorders, such as depression and bipolar, are thought to be the most costly group, at more than 113 billion euro (£97 billion) each year, with 33.3 million sufferers. Dementia is a close second at just over 105 billion euro (£90 billion), with more than 88 billion euro (£76 billion) of that coming from costs such as social care.
The number of people suffering brain disorders is expected to rise as people live longer.
"We have to emphasise that the burden of disorder of the brain will likely increase further, simply due to the continuing life expectancy in Europe," the experts said. "Because of the ageing European population, degenerative disorders are particularly destined to become more common, such as dementia, Parkinson's disease and stroke, but anxiety and mood disorders are also very prevalent at high age."
The team, writing in the journal European Neuropsychopharmacology, said dealing with brain disorders represents "the number one economic challenge for European healthcare now and in the future".
They call for more investment in science and teaching, including time spent on brain disorders in medical schools. And they warn their figures are "very conservative" and almost certainly an underestimate.
The experts came from universities and hospitals across Europe.
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