On 23 April 2018, the European Brain Council launched its Brain Mission, focused on Understand. Fix. Enhance. The target of the proposed Brain Mission was to call for increased support of research to decrease the enormous burden of brain disorders (neurological and mental alike) through better understanding of the physiology of the brain and disease states, relevant prevention strategies, as well as more generally, an increased awareness of the brain and its diseases. In 2018, the European Commission was to submit proposals for a mission-oriented and impact-focused 9th Framework Programme. In view of these preparations for the forthcoming EU research scheme, the European Brain Council’s Brain Mission aims to bring attention to these issues and present how the post-2020 Framework Programme can make a real difference for patients living with brain disorders.
The Mission called for continued commitment to basic neuroscience research, which has advanced our understanding of the nervous system, with Europe successfully leading this effort designed to increase our understanding of the brain, as well as the practical and clinical application of this knowledge. Engagement of the scientific and clinical community at all levels is required in order for the European population to benefit from discoveries and for advances in basic neuroscience to be translated into new diagnostic tools and treatments for brain disorders.
A launch event was held in Brussels – event report available here.