Epidemiological burden of Alzheimer's and Parkinson's diseases in East Asia: A comparative review of global burden of disease estimates and national registry data

East Asia is navigating a period of unprecedented demographic aging, with neurodegenerative disorders like Alzheimer's disease and other dementias (ADODs) and Parkinson's disease (PD) emerging as primary public health challenges. Utilizing Global Burden of Disease (GBD) 2021 data, this review evaluates the longitudinal epidemiological trends in Taiwan compared to neighboring East Asian countries. We found that while ADODs remained relatively stable in most regions, Taiwan exhibited a recent increase in mortality and disability-adjusted life years (DALY). Notably, ADODs DALY trends are primarily driven by years of life lost (YLL) rather than years lived with disability (YLD), reflecting GBD's methodological emphasis on mortality at advanced ages. Conversely, PD showed an increasing trend on epidemiologic features across the region, with Taiwan exhibiting the highest health burden. Unlike ADODs, PD DALY in Taiwan are more closely aligned with YLD, suggesting that advancements in healthcare quality and prolonged life expectancy have extended the duration of lived disability. These divergent trajectories underscore the complex interplay between national health policies, socioeconomic factors, and environmental risks. We conclude that addressing the escalating burden of neurodegenerative disorders requires a transition toward data-driven, precision public health interventions and equitable resource allocation to ensure healthcare resilience in super-aged societies.