The European College of Neuropsychopharmacology (ECNP) held its annual Congress from 11 to 14 October 2025 in Amsterdam, gathering over 7,000 attendees including psychiatrists, neuroscientists, neurologists, psychologists and industry experts. Participants explored the latest research, treatments and technologies shaping the future of applied brain science through a rich programme of poster sessions, symposia, panel discussions, industry events, campfire sessions, and more.
As part of this year’s edition, the European Brain Council (EBC) actively participated in three sessions and hosted a booth in the exhibition area, strengthening its commitment to advancing brain research across Europe.
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Key Highlights from EBC’s Participation
Fireside Chat: Towards a European Partnership for Brain Health
EBC’s Executive Director, Frédéric Destrebecq, moderated the fireside chat “Towards a European partnership for brain health: priority setting for the future of EU-funding”. The discussion featured Suzanne Dickson (EBC President), Melanie Neijts (Dutch Research Council), Catherine Marquer (Agence Nationale de la Recherche) and Andreas Reif (University Medical Center Frankfurt). Panelists discussed the forthcoming European Partnership on Brain Health, planned for launch in 2026, exploring strategies to ensure its success and long-term sustainability.
Plenary Panel Discussion: Mental Health Research in Transition
EBC also contributed to the plenary panel “Mental health research in transition”, moderated by Barbara Franke (Radboud University). Speakers included Celso Arango (Hospital General Universitario Gregorio Marañón), Péter Kéri (GAMIAN-Europe), Suzanne Dickson (EBC President), Gerard Dawson (P1vital Products LTD; ECNP), Ekta Patel (Medicines Discovery Catapult) and Iracema Leroi (Global Brain Health Institute). The conversation emphasised the need to reimagine mental health research frameworks, advocating for innovative, patient-centred research projects that transform care for individuals living with psychiatric conditions.
Poster session: Innovative Approaches to Early Psychosis Care
In a poster session titled “Innovative approaches to identify individuals experiencing first-episode psychosis and connect them to integrated care pathways”, Vinciane Quoidbach, Research Project Manager at EBC, presented findings from EBC’s Rethinking Schizophrenia project and survey conducted in nine European countries amongst mental health professionals between 14 May and 3 August 2024. The study examined care pathways for young individuals experiencing first-episode psychosis (FEP), highlighting common trends, challenges and best practices in FEP care delivery. The results underscored the importance of developing a brain health-centred framework that promotes early identification, holistic care, access to innovative treatments and attention to social determinants of health to improve schizophrenia care and quality of life.
EBC Booth
Throughout the Congress, the EBC booth served as an interactive space for researchers, clinicians, students and innovators to learn more about EBC’s initiatives. Visitors engaged with EBC representatives on topics such as bridging science and policy, advancing research on rare brain diseases, and participating in Brain Innovation Days activities and capacity-building workshops.
The ECNP Congress 2025 sparked dialogue on the growing significance of collaboration between research, innovation and policy in shaping Europe’s future of brain health—a vision EBC continues to champion across all its initiatives.
Thank you to everyone who participated in the various sessions, listened to the poster presentation, stopped by the EBC booth, and contributed to the many meaningful discussions throughout the event. EBC is looking forward to the next ECNP congress, set to take place on 10-13 October , 2026, in Munich (Germany)!