Epidemiology of Unspecified Degenerative Nervous System Disorders: Mortality Trends via CDC WONDER (1999-2025)

Background: Unspecified degenerative nervous system disorders (ICD-10 G31.9) increasingly contribute to neurological mortality, yet national temporal patterns remain unclear. Methods: We analyzed U.S. mortality data (1999–2025) from CDC WONDER. Age-adjusted mortality rates (AAMRs) were analyzed using Joinpoint regression to estimate annual percent changes (APCs), stratified by sex, race, urbanization, and census regions. Sensitivity analyses assessed stability. Results: Overall, AAMR increased from 1999 to 2011 (APC 1.34%) and sharply from 2011–2014 (15.79%), declined from 2014 to 2018 (− 3.14%), rose from 2018–2021 (13.38%), and decreased thereafter (− 1.89%). Females showed early increases, whereas males were stable before 2011. Racial and regional analyses revealed heterogeneity, with post-2010 increases in several groups. Metropolitan areas showed persistent increases, while nonmetropolitan trends fluctuated. Sensitivity analyses confirmed findings. Conclusion: Mortality from G31.9 disorders shows changing trends, varying across demographics and regions. These differences highlight gaps in diagnosis and care, emphasizing the need for targeted public health strategies.