Epidemiology of neurological diseases in elderly people: what did we learn from the Rotterdam Study?
The Rotterdam Study is a prospective cohort study that has been ongoing since 1990 in the city of Rotterdam, the Netherlands, among 7983 people aged 55 years or older. One part of the study targets neurological diseases, others deal with cardiovascular, ophthalmological, and endocrine diseases. The findings of the Rotterdam Study have been presented in some . Here we give the reasons for the study and its design, and present a summary of what has been learned about the frequencies and causes of neurological diseases. Perhaps the most important message from the Rotterdam Study is the great potential for prevention or postponement of neurological diseases in elderly people. The time for preventive nihilism is over.
Hofman
Albert
A
Department of Epidemiology Biostatistics, Erasmus Medical Centre, Rotterdam, Netherlands. a.hofman@erasmusmc.nl
de Jong
Paulus T V M
PT
van Duijn
Cornelia M
CM
Breteler
Monique M B
MM
D000203:Activities of Daily Living; D000367:Age Factors; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D035843:Biomedical Research; D015331:Cohort Studies; D005260:Female; D015577:Geriatric Assessment; D006299:Health Services for the Aged; D006801:Humans; D015994:Incidence; D008297:Male; D009422:Nervous System Diseases / Q000150:complications / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000517:prevention & control; D009426:Netherlands / Q000453:epidemiology; D015995:Prevalence; D011446:Prospective Studies; D012307:Risk Factors