The world’s population is ageing and rates of neurodegenerative diseases, such as Alzheimer’s and Parkinson’s, are expected to increase. Photo: Shutterstock

Deep Dive delves into hot issues in Hong Kong and mainland China. Our easy-to-read articles provide context to grasp what’s happening, while our questions help you craft informed responses. Check sample answers at the end of the page.

China is stepping up efforts to find new treatments for Alzheimer’s disease and Parkinson’s disease.

As its population ages, the country already has more cases of these neurodegenerative diseases than anywhere else in the world. These are conditions that destroy parts of your nervous system, especially your brain.

Rates in China are rising faster than the global average.

Cases of Parkinson’s disease in China are forecast to rise from 3.6 million in 2024 to 10.5 million in 2050. Between 69 million and 92 million people will have Alzheimer’s disease by this time.

Both diseases mainly affect the elderly. China had 320 million people aged 60 and over at the end of 2025.

Chinese researchers are working to develop new Western medicines to treat the symptoms of these diseases. They are also exploring the potential of formulas and ingredients from traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) to complement or replace conventional drugs.

A national project backed by institutes under the Chinese Academy of Sciences was launched in March. The project aims to accelerate the development of original treatments for Alzheimer’s disease.

The global market for Parkinson’s drugs is expected to grow from US$6.1 billion in 2025 to US$9.2 billion (HK$47.8 billion to HK$72 billion) by the end of 2030, according to Boston-based BCC Research. The market for Alzheimer’s drugs is expected to be worth US$13.1 billion (HK$102.6 billion) by this time.

Alzheimer’s and Parkinson’s are both associated with changes in the brain caused by abnormal protein build-ups.

Oxidative stress occurs when the brain’s antioxidant defences break down. This can contribute to the build-up, as can the inflammation of nervous tissue.

In Parkinson’s disease, certain protein clumps lead to the death of nerve cells that produce dopamine. Meanwhile, Alzheimer’s disease is caused by protein build-ups blocking the brain’s communication channels.

Imbalances in the gut microbiome contribute to inflammation through signals transmitted via the body’s gut-brain axis. This network links the gastrointestinal tract – the major organs of the digestive system – and the central nervous system.

Hong Kong scientists have investigated links between this and the onset of Parkinson’s: “This research allows us to ... map the disease progression, which may tell us how we can prevent [it],” said Professor Wing Yun-kwok, chairman of the Chinese University of Hong Kong’s department of psychiatry.