Neurological disorders are emerging as one of India’s fastest-growing public health challenges, driven by an ageing population and increase in lifestyle diseases. Yet, while the burden of conditions such as stroke, epilepsy, Parkinson’s disease, dementia and multiple sclerosis continues to grow, access to specialised neurological care remains severely uneven, with experts warning that a shortage of neurologists is delaying diagnosis and treatment for millions.
The concern is echoed in the World Health Organisation’s (WHO) Global Status Report on Neurological Disorders (2025), which estimates that more than 40 per cent of the world’s population is living with a neurological condition. For India, the report paints an equally worrying picture. It notes that the country’s neurologist-to-patient ratio is nearly 80 times worse than that of high-income countries, leaving specialised neurological care concentrated in major urban centres.
“Neurological disorders are no longer a concern of a small section of the population — they are one of the most pressing emerging healthcare challenges of our time,” said Dr. Madhukar Bhardwaj, director and head of department neurology, Aakash Healthcare “In a country as vast and diverse as India, with a rapidly ageing population, this is a matter of urgency. What makes the situation even more worrying is the lack of equitable access to care.”
Bhardwaj said, “Another worrying trend we are witnessing is the rising incidence of stroke among younger adults. A condition once largely associated with older age is increasingly affecting people in their 30s and 40s, driven by uncontrolled hypertension, diabetes, obesity, smoking, chronic stress, sedentary lifestyles, and poor sleep.”
Madhukar noted that many neurological disorders progress silently before symptoms become obvious. “Whether it is stroke, epilepsy, Parkinson’s disease or memory disorders, early diagnosis can significantly improve outcomes. Unfortunately, many patients seek specialist care only after the disease has advanced, either because symptoms are ignored or because neurological services are not easily accessible. Greater public awareness and timely referrals are essential.”
According to Dr. Neha Kapoor, associate director and head-neurology, Asian Hospital, “The face of neurological care is being transformed by advances in neuroimaging, artificial intelligence, and precision medicine, but these innovations should not be limited to big cities or hospitals. Technology can help to fill gaps of diagnosis and follow-up, in particular through tele-neurology and digital health platforms. But these solutions will have to be better embedded into the public health system to benefit patients across the country”.”
Dr. Rajas Deshpande, consultant and head of neurology, Jupiter Hospital, Pune said that brain health is closely linked to overall health and lifestyle. “Controlling hypertension, diabetes, obesity, smoking and physical inactivity can significantly reduce the risk of stroke and vascular dementia. Prevention deserves as much attention as treatment because many neurological disorders share common modifiable risk factors.”
Neurological health also influences several other aspects of wellbeing, including sexual health.
Dr. Vineet Malhotra, head of urology, VNA Hospital, a prominent urologist, said the brain serves as the central control system for male sexual function. “Sexual desire and related functions all depend on healthy communication between the brain, spinal cord, nerves, blood vessels and hormones. Conditions such as stroke, Parkinson’s disease, multiple sclerosis, spinal cord injuries, diabetic neuropathy, as well as chronic stress and depression, can disrupt these pathways, leading to erectile dysfunction, reduced libido and other sexual problems. Early multidisciplinary evaluation can identify the underlying neurological cause and improve both sexual function and overall quality of life.”
Dr. Hrishikesh Pai, consultant gynaecologist and IVF specialist, Lilavati Hospital Mumbai and Fortis Hospitals Delhi & Chandigarh, fertility specialist, explained that “Brain health plays a critical role in women’s reproductive health. The hypothalamus and pituitary gland in the brain regulate the hormonal signals that control menstruation, ovulation, and pregnancy. Conditions that affect brain function—including chronic stress, neurological disorders, pituitary diseases, or certain medications—can disrupt this delicate hormonal balance, leading to irregular menstrual cycles, infertility, and pregnancy-related complications. Protecting brain health is therefore essential not only for cognitive wellbeing but also for reproductive health across a woman’s lifespan.”
Experts believe that as neurological cases India must urgently invest in specialist training, strengthen neurological services beyond major cities and integrate brain health into primary healthcare. Without improving access to timely diagnosis and specialist care, they warn, millions of Indians will continue to face preventable disability and diminished quality of life despite advances in medical science.
