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Life
Special Issues
Brain Health for All Ages: Leave No One Behind
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Brain Health for All Ages: Leave No One Behind

A special issue of Life (ISSN 2075-1729). This special issue belongs to the section "Medical Research".

Deadline for manuscript submissions: 31 January 2026 | Viewed by 425

Special Issue Editors

Prof. Dr. Tissa Wijeratne

E-Mail Website
Guest Editor
Department of Neurology, The Sunshine Hospital, WHCRE Level Three, St Albans, Melbourne, VIC 3021, Australia
Interests: stroke; neuroimmunology; COVID-19; migraine; Parkinson’s disease; education; advocacy
Special Issues, Collections and Topics in MDPI journals
Dr. Dilani Wijeratne

E-Mail Website
Guest Editor
Australian Institute of Migraine, 522 Bell Street, Pascoe Vale South, Melbourne, VIC, Australia
Interests: ADHD; mood and anxiety disorders; cognitive therapy; mental health; brain–mind interface
Special Issues, Collections and Topics in MDPI journals

Special Issue Information

Dear Colleagues,

Neurological disorders are now the leading cause of disability worldwide. According to Global Burden of Disease 2021 data, 43% of global disability stems from brain-related conditions—spanning from stroke, dementia, migraine, and epilepsy to over 400 other neurological disorders. The burden is highest in low- and middle-income countries, where millions lack access to essential care. Health systems are stretched thin. Neurologists are few. Treatments are often out of reach. In many communities, stigma and poor awareness continue to widen the gap. Yet, the reality is this: most neurological conditions are preventable, and many are treatable. The world can—and must—do better. This is our motivation in launching this Special Issue, titled “Brain Health for All Ages: Leave No One Behind”. Our aim is to spark global dialogue and action in the context of brain health across the lifespan—from prenatal development through aging. We seek papers that showcase science, stories, and solutions that can change lives.

We welcome contributions across disciplines, including the following:

  • Universal health coverage models that include neurology and mental health;
  • Strategies to address post-COVID neurological syndromes;
  • Innovations at the intersection of neurology and psychiatry;
  • Local applications of global burden data to improve care;
  • Advocacy, policy, and grassroots success stories.

Whether you are a clinician, researcher, policymaker, student, or community leader, your voice matters. Together, we can reshape the future of brain health—for everyone, everywhere.

You may choose our Joint Special Issue in Healthcare.

Prof. Dr. Tissa Wijeratne
Dr. Dilani Wijeratne
Guest Editors

Manuscript Submission Information

Manuscripts should be submitted online at www.mdpi.com by registering and logging in to this website. Once you are registered, click here to go to the submission form. Manuscripts can be submitted until the deadline. All submissions that pass pre-check are peer-reviewed. Accepted papers will be published continuously in the journal (as soon as accepted) and will be listed together on the special issue website. Research articles, review articles as well as short communications are invited. For planned papers, a title and short abstract (about 100 words) can be sent to the Editorial Office for announcement on this website.

Submitted manuscripts should not have been published previously, nor be under consideration for publication elsewhere (except conference proceedings papers). All manuscripts are thoroughly refereed through a single-blind peer-review process. A guide for authors and other relevant information for submission of manuscripts is available on the Instructions for Authors page. Life is an international peer-reviewed open access monthly journal published by MDPI.

Please visit the Instructions for Authors page before submitting a manuscript. The Article Processing Charge (APC) for publication in this open access journal is 2600 CHF (Swiss Francs). Submitted papers should be well formatted and use good English. Authors may use MDPI's English editing service prior to publication or during author revisions.

Keywords

  • brain health
  • neurology
  • neurological syndromes

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Published Papers (1 paper)

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Research

12 pages, 1505 KB  
Article
Diagnostic Delays in Parkinson’s Disease in Thailand: Clinical Pitfalls and Health System Barriers
by Praween Lolekha and Piriya Jieamanukulkit
Life 2025, 15(10), 1513; https://doi.org/10.3390/life15101513 - 25 Sep 2025
Viewed by 265
Abstract
Background: Parkinson’s disease (PD) is a progressive neurodegenerative disorder in which early diagnosis improves quality of life and reduces disability. However, diagnostic delays remain common, particularly in low- and middle-income countries. This study investigated clinical and system-level factors contributing to diagnostic delay in [...] Read more.
Background: Parkinson’s disease (PD) is a progressive neurodegenerative disorder in which early diagnosis improves quality of life and reduces disability. However, diagnostic delays remain common, particularly in low- and middle-income countries. This study investigated clinical and system-level factors contributing to diagnostic delay in Thailand. Methods: A retrospective chart review was conducted on patients newly diagnosed with PD at Thammasat University Hospital between June 2020 and June 2024. Demographic, clinical, and healthcare access data were analyzed. Diagnostic intervals were defined as onset-to-visit (OTV), visit-to-diagnosis (VTD), and onset-to-diagnosis (OTD). Age-at-onset groups included early-onset Parkinson’s disease (EOPD, <50 years), regular-onset PD, and very-late-onset PD (≥80 years). Results: Of 1093 patients screened, 109 newly diagnosed PD cases met the inclusion criteria. The median OTV was 360 days, and the median VTD was 10 days. Tremor was the most frequent initial symptom (75%). Patients with higher education and extended family support sought care earlier, whereas those under the Universal Coverage Scheme (UCS) experienced longer OTD durations (median, 541 vs. 181 days in privately insured patients). More than half of patients were initially misdiagnosed, especially when first evaluated by non-neurologists. Conclusions: Diagnostic delay in Thai PD patients stems mainly from late help-seeking and inequities in healthcare access. Addressing these gaps requires public awareness, physician training, streamlined UCS referral pathways, and adoption of biomarker-supported digital tools to ensure earlier and more equitable diagnosis. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Brain Health for All Ages: Leave No One Behind)
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