EBRA Kick-off Meeting
2018-11-22
The European Brain Council (EBC)-coordinated EU project The European Brain Research Area (EBRA) officially kicks off on 22 November 2018. EBRA was designed to respond to the Horizon 2020 call, SC1-HCO-10-2018, entitled “Coordinating European brain research and developing global initiatives”, which called for the reduction of fragmentation and duplication of research efforts, fostering synergies through enhanced coordination of brain research efforts at EU and at global level, improved access to and optimising the use of research infrastructures and data sources by the neuroscience research communities, thus ensuring better exploitation of the large investments made in brain research, achieving critical mass and economies of scale by initiating and fostering new global research initiatives, as well a enabling and accelerating the translation of breakthroughs in brain research into relevant clinical applications.
The European Brain Research Area project — EBRA — was created as a catalysing platform for brain research stakeholders (researchers, clinicians, patients, governments, funders and public institutions) to streamline and better co-ordinate brain research across Europe while fostering global initiatives.
The Consortium consists of the EBC membership, the Network of European funding for Neuroscience research (NEURON), Joint Programme – Neurodegenerative Disease Research (JPND) and the Human Brain Project (HBP).
Follow EBRA on Twitter for the latest updates.
This project has received funding from the European Union’s Horizon 2020 Research and Innovation programme under grant agreement No 825348.

‘New horizons for person-centred mental health research and care’ - EPA/GAMIAN-Europe EP Event
2018-12-03 15:00 - 18:00 UTC
On 3 December, the European Parliament Interest Group on Mental health, Well-being and Brain Disorders, GAMIAN-Europe and the European Psychiatric Association (EPA) will hold an Interest Group meeting, entitled ‘New horizons for person-centred mental health research and care’, in the European Parliament in Brussels, at 15.00 – 18.00 in room 5G1.
In recent years, issues related to mental health care and services have increasingly been part of EU and national research agendas. In parallel, the notion and importance of person-centred mental health services has gained ground. There is general consensus on the crucial importance of this concept: all mental health stakeholders – e.g. patients, health care professionals, policymakers, care and service providers agree that person-centredness is essential if appropriate. Effective and high-quality mental health care services are to be developed and delivered. And indeed, a number of recent and current EU-funded research projects explicitly take into account this perspective.
As the EU is about to embark on a new, comprehensive and large-scale research programme, the Interest Group, GAMIAN-Europe and the EPA believe that the time is ripe to organise a policy event with a specific focus on person-centred mental health research and care.
This event aims to:

Underline the importance of person-centred mental health research and care and increase
the visibility of this topic;
Exchange views on how a person-centred perspective can be ensured in EU funded and
other research addressing mental health;
Inform about ongoing research focusing on mental health in a person-centred way;
Stimulate discussion amongst stakeholders and forge links for future cooperation;
Underline the importance for Horizon Europe to take person-centredness as a guiding
principle for future EU-funded mental health research.

The full agenda is featured below:
programme IGMH FIN

Policy Report Launch: 'A sustainable approach to depression: moving from words to actions’
2018-12-05
On 5 December 2018, the European Parliament Interest Group on Mental health, Well-being and Brain Disorders, EBC, GAMIAN-Europe, the European Psychiatric Association (EPA), the European Brain Council (EBC), EUFAMI, the Expert Platform on Depression, Eurocarers, the European College of Neuropsychopharmacology, the UEMS – Sector of Psychiatry and the International Federation for Psychotherapy will launch a join policy paper on major depression, entitled ‘A sustainable approach to depression: moving from words to actions’. The meeting will take place in the European Parliament in Brussels, between 12.30 and 14.00 in room A5F 385.
Today, over 35 million people are estimated to be living with depression in Europe Its cost is 30% higher than that of stroke. Yet as a society, we lack understanding of depression and empathy for those affected. Policies focused on depression exist, but implementation is variable and suffers from significant under-resourcing. This in turn contributes to significant gaps in diagnosis and care: only 25% of people diagnosed with depression receive appropriate and timely care.3
These gaps need to be remedied – and require a comprehensive, sustainable policy response, looking at how to prevent and manage depression across all aspects of society.
The organisations listed above joined forces to address this need; they agreed to produce a report aimed at providing policymakers with concrete ways to better address the full spectrum of depression and its impact on our societies. The report drew from the practical experiences of a variety of innovative projects addressing different aspect of depression across the EU. Key factors and lessons learnt were identified which can help policymakers develop and put in place concrete, relevant and sustainable policies and initiatives.
The December event aims to:

Present the key findings of this report;
Showcase examples of successful projects addressing depression;
Exchange views on how depression can be prioritised on the EU and national policy agendas;
Forge links between relevant stakeholders and explore ideas for future cooperation to ensure better management of depression.

If you would like to attend this event, please register here before 28 November.

EBC Board Meeting #1
2019-02-06
First EBC Board Meeting of 2019

EP Event: “Addressing the Hidden Burden of Migraine: An Opportunity for European Action”
2019-02-27
Register to attend HERE.

BAW’ 19 Event – “Mood and Food: Exploring the gut-brain connection”
2019-03-06 18:00 - 20:00
One of EBC’s annual activities is to hold an outreach event for Members of the European Parliament and the general public during the Brain Awareness Week (BAW). This global campaign is held in March every year and aims to increase public awareness on the progress and benefits of brain research.
This year we focus on “Mood and Food: Exploring the gut-brain connection”. Join us in the European Parliament in Brussels (JAN 3Q Brasserie) on the 6th of March from 18:00 to 20:00.
This Brain Awareness Week event will focus on the connection between mood and food, exploring the relationship between what you eat and how it can affect your mood and daily function. Held as a reception this year, the event will combine food, informal presentations and discussion with experts in this growing field of research.
This event is kindly hosted by MEPs Marian Harkin (ALDE, IE) and held in partnership with the European Dana Alliance for the Brain (EDAB) and the Federation of European Neuroscience Societies (FENS).
We look forward to welcoming our speakers, Dr. Alejandro Arias-Vasquez (New Brain Nutrition Project), Kimberley Wilson (Monumental Health, NHS Mental Health Trust Governor) and moderator Prof. Patrice Boyer (EBC Vice President).

Registration is now closed*
*Entry is still possible for those with European Parliament access badges

Brain Awareness Week 2019
2019-03-11 - 2019-03-17
Brain Awareness Week (BAW) is the global campaign to increase public awareness of the progress and benefits of brain research.
Every March, BAW unites the efforts of partner organizations worldwide in a celebration of the brain for people of all ages. Activities are limited only by the organizers’ imaginations and include open days at neuroscience labs; exhibitions about the brain; lectures on brain-related topics; social media campaigns; displays at libraries and community centers; classroom workshops; and more.
Mark your calendars for future BAW campaign dates:
March 11-17, 2019
March 16-22, 2020

27th European Congress of Psychiatry
2019-04-06 - 2019-04-09
The 27th European Congress of Psychiatry, organized by EBC member the European Psychiatric Association, will take place on 6-9 April 2019 in Warsaw, Poland.
The EPA Congress in 2019 is guided by the Congress motto, “Psychiatry in Transition – Towards New Models, Goals and Challenges”. EPA 2019 will facilitate discussion and educational forums on a range of topics in the field of psychiatry, psychology, social work and clinical trials.
EBC will be present in Warsaw with an exhibition stand (#26) and a joint EBC-EPA Symposium on the 9th of April (13:15 – 14:45, Hall A), co-chaired by EBC President Prof. Monica di Luca and incoming EPA President, Prof. Philip Gorwood. The session will cover “Parkinson’s Disease and Psychiatry”, featuring presentations by Prof. Fanni Geibl (Neuropsychiatric Symptoms in Prodromal and Early Parkinson’s Disease) and Prof. A. Leentjes (Depression: Risk Factor or Early Symptom in Parkinson Disease?).

3rd Forum of the Scientific Panel for Health: ‘Enabling health equality in Europe – the role of health research’
2019-05-09
Based on interactions with stakeholders during conferences and workshops, the Scientific Panel for
Health set out a vision for the future of health and biomedical research in two consensus documents:
‘Better Research for Better Health’ in 2016, and a proposal ‘Building the Future of Health Research’ in
2018.
Health is a fundamental right. Yet health inequalities within Europe and across regions are significant
and remain present. Can increased engagement with health research inform and support more effective
prevention measures and improve access to appropriate healthcare, and thereby reduce inequalities?
The forum explores the current situation, barriers in participation and engagement with health research,
and potential ways forward, with different examples.

5th Academy of National Brain Councils
2019-05-09 - 2019-05-10
The 5th Academy of National Brain Councils will be held in Dubrovnik, Croatia on 9-10 May 2019.
The online registration form can be accessed here.

International Conference on Neurological Disorders and Neurorestoration
2019-05-10 - 2019-05-13
The International Conference on Neurological Disorders and Neurorestoration will be held from 10th-13th May 2019 in Dubrovnik, Croatia.
This unique international meeting will cover a wide range of areas connected to neurology, neuroscience and neurorestoration, such as neuroinflammation, neurodegeneration, ischemic diseases, paroxysmal and extrapyramidal diseases. The School of Medicine of the University of Zagreb, supported by all clinics for neurology of the Zagreb Clinical and Hospital Centers, is the main organizer of the conference.
The conference will be organized in conjunction with the 5th Academy Meeting of National Brain Councils that will be held from 9th-10th May.
Further information can be accessed here.

EAN Congress 2019
2019-06-29 - 2019-07-02
The 5th Congress of the European Academy of Neurology (EAN) will take place from 29 June to 2 July 2019 in Oslo, Norway. This years’ congress bring together over 6000 neurologists from across Europe and the world.
EBC will be present with a stand in the Exhibition Hall (Stand #C28) and with a presentation in the Scientific Theatre on our latest project, The European Brain Research Area (EBRA). Join us at the Scientific Theatre on Sunday, 30 June at 12:00.
Furthermore, EBC President, Prof. Monica Di Luca, will speak at the “Challenges for Women in Neurology” event, also held on 30 June at 13:00-14:30 in Room Amsterdam.
The MULTI-ACT Project, which EBC is also part of, will be presented at the Scientific Theatre on 30 June at 11:00.

Regional Meeting of National Brain Councils – 10th July 2019 – Belgrade, Serbia
2019-07-10
The Regional Meeting of National Brain Councils (NBCs) will be held on 10th July in Belgrade. This meeting will bring together NBCs, scientific societies and patient groups operating in South-East Europe in order to exchange views on common challenges and the rationale for enhancing stakeholder cooperation between patients, brain researchers and clinicians at national level. What is more, the meeting will enable discussion on joint cross-border projects and initiatives aimed at promoting brain health and supporting brain research.
The event will be organized in conjunction with the FENS Regional Meeting 2019 that will be held from 10th-13th July.
The online registration form can be accessed here.

ECNP Congress 2019
2019-09-07 - 2019-09-10
The annual Congress of the European College of Neuropsychopharmacology (ECNP) will be held on 7-10 September 2019 in Copenhagen, Denmark. It is Europe’s premier scientific meeting for disease-oriented brain research, annually attracting between 4,000 and 6,000 neuroscientists, psychiatrists, neurologists and psychologists from around the world.
For further information on the congress and to register, please visit: https://2019.ecnp.eu/

Brexit: the European Parliament’s role in prioritising patients, public health and heath security across Europe – Room A3G2, European Parliament, 10h.00 to 12h.00, 12 September 2019
2019-09-12 10:00 - 12:00
At a critical time when there is a very strong risk of a no-deal scenario, the big questions concerning Brexit for patients across the whole EU remain unanswered. This event will focus on explaining to new MEPS the challenges of safeguarding public health and health security. It will also highlight what the European Parliament can do to follow up on its resolution from 14 March 2018 to ensure that the new European Commission is aware of the challenges and is acting to mitigate the risks.
Please register your attendance here by 6 September 2019.

13th European Paediatric Neurology Society (EPNS) Congress
2019-09-17 - 2019-09-21
On 17-21 September 2019, the European Paediatric Neurology Society (EPNS) – one of EBC’s newest members – will hold its 13th Annual Congress in Athens, Greece.
EPNS is a society for physicians with a research or clinical interest in Paediatric Neurology. With more than 1,500 members, the EPNS is a thriving and growing society which continues to play an important role in and beyond Europe by promoting training, clinical care and scientific research in the field of Paediatric Neurology.
For further information, please visit the EPNS 2019 website. To register, follow this link.

IBRO World Congress of Neuroscience 2019
2019-09-21 - 2019-09-25
The International Brain Research Organisation, IBRO, will hold its World Congress of Neuroscience on 21-25 September 2019 in Daegu, South Korea.
The IBRO World Congress has been held every four years since 1982. It is one of the most prestigious international meetings attended by over 3500 neuroscientists from around the world. It is a fascinating opportunity for participants to share the latest information and knowledge in the diverse areas of the brain research and neuroscience.
IBRO aims to promote neuroscience research and communication among researchers around the world. One of its foremost emphases is on supporting education of young investigators in developing countries.
For further information on the congress and how to register, please visit the official website: http://www.ibro2019.org/

EANS Congress 2019
2019-09-24 - 2019-09-28
The European Association of Neurosurgical Societies (EANS) will hold its annual congress in Dublin, Ireland this year, from 24 – 28 September 2019.
EANS is both an independent federation of European national neurosurgical societies and a fast-developing association of individual neurosurgeons from around the world. It is a professional community whose aim is to enhance the quality of neurosurgical patient care through training, education and research, and a key way in which this objective is met is by facilitating the exchange of scientific information at the highest level through the organisation of meetings, symposia and educational courses – with the annual Congress.
Learn more about the congress and how to register on the official website.

Launch of "RethinkingMS"
2019-11-06
The EBC project Rethinking MS in Europe: Prioritising integrated services for people with multiple sclerosis in Europe will launch at the upcoming MEP Interest Group on Brain, Mind and Pain-hosted event on Ensuring Equitable Access to Treatment, Services and Support.
Building on the findings from the 2017 Value of Treatment report, this project develops a multidisciplinary consensus around practical and sustainable policy responses to MS at the European level and deeper analysis with four country profiles examining the burden of MS in Denmark, Italy, Romania and Spain, and four corresponding policy planning tools to support implementation of recommended policies.
The project aims to create greater visibility for the unmet needs experienced by people with MS, with a particular focus on: timely diagnosis and personalised treatment; interdisciplinary and coordinated care; and adaptable support in daily life including rehabilitation and social protection.
See the event agenda below and please register here.

MULTI-ACT Event: Does your research impact society responsibly?
2019-11-12
On 12 November 2019, the EU-funded MULTI-ACT project – in which EBC is heavily involved – will host its first project-dedicated event in Brussels, Belgium. The project, which began in May 2018, aims to increase the impact of health research on people with brain diseases by creating and implementing a new model allowing for the effective cooperation of all relevant stakeholders.
After one and a half years of work, a number of work packages have completed their work and will have plenty to present on the day. The focus of the event will be the following:
• A new governance criterion allowing effective cooperation of all relevant stakeholders in multi-stakeholder research initiatives and transformative governance;
• Innovative guidelines for effective patient engagement across the health research and innovation path;
• A new tool for the assessment of the research impact across different dimensions including excellence, efficacy, social, economic and patient reported dimension and to better tie the research results to the objectives of the initiative.
To learn more about the project, please visit the MULTI-ACT website and social media channels.
An agenda & registration page will follow soon. For logistical details, please see below:
Venue:
University Foundation/Fondation Universitaire
Rue d’Egmont 11, 1000 Brussels
Date & Time:
12 November 2019
10:00-14:00 (Registration & welcome coffee begins at 9:30)

EBRA: Year 1 – Project Event
2019-12-05
Save the Date:
5 December 2019
10:00-13:30
Brussels
One year into the EU-funded EBRA (European Brain Research Area), the project will host its first event. Project Coordinators, European Brain Council, and partners Human Brain Project, JPND and ERA-NET NEURON cordially invite you to join us on 5 December 2019 to learn more about the project, designed to create a catalysing initiative for brain research stakeholders (researchers, clinicians, patients, governments, funders and public institutions) to streamline and better co-ordinate brain research across Europe while fostering global initiatives.
The event will focus on the achievements of the first year of the project and will include the presentation of the first round of successful clusters, associations of research projects directed towards basic research, clinical research and/or methodological approaches under a common topic, and disease and/or thematic area.
For more on the project, please visit the EBRA website.
A detailed agenda and registration will follow closer to the date. A networking lunch will directly follow the presentations.

The Digital Transformation of Healthcare in Europe
2019-12-10
Using digital tools to deliver care more cost-effectively presents a massive opportunity to relieve Europe’s strained healthcare systems. European Commission President-Elect Ursula von der Leyen has made clear her ambition to ensure that the next five-year EU legislative cycle (2019-2024) harnesses the potential of digital innovation to drive improvements in all aspects of healthcare: pledging to create a European Health Data Space, and to adopt legislation on AI in the first 100 days of office.
The upcoming event, “The Digital Transformation of Healthcare in Europe: Unlocking the potential of digital solutions for patients, healthcare providers and health systems”, will bring together leading players to debate the biggest challenges and opportunities facing the digital transformation of healthcare in Europe, and how EU initiatives and stakeholders can best work together to address them over the next five years.
The invitation-only event (followed by a cocktail reception) will be held on 10 December 2019, 17:00 – 19:00 at the Fondation Universitaire, 11 rue Egmont, 1000 Brussels.
Participants include:

Ioana-Maria Gligor, Head of Unit, European Reference Networks and Digital Health, DG SANTE, European Commission
MEP Eva Kaili (S&D, Greece)
Member State representative (tbc)
Catherine Estrampes, CEO of GE Healthcare Europe
Boris Brkljačić, President of the European Society of Radiology and Professor of radiology and Vice-Dean at University of Zagreb School of Medicine
Frédéric Destrebecq, Executive Director of the European Brain Council
Ceri Thompson, Deputy Head of Unit, eHealth, Well-being, and Ageing, DG CNECT, European Commission

Moderated by Petra Wilson, Senior Advisor at FTI Consulting
Please RSVP your attendance to Morten.vonGlan@fticonsulting.com

3rd triMS.online conference, 13 February 2020
2020-02-13
The triMS.online conference is a global, virtual event that recreates an international conference experience by presenting attendees with a fantastic opportunity to learn about and discuss the latest research in the field of MS, but without the expense of travelling!
The triMS.online conference offers attendees:

access to high-quality research updates and materials during the online event and afterwards;
space to discuss current trends and developments, and to debate controversial topics;
opportunities to network with colleagues, exchange opinions and learn more about MS;
the opportunity to submit posters on your research to be displayed in the virtual poster hall;
free time to explore the poster hall and virtual exhibition booths.

Register here.
For more information and the full programme please visit: https://www.trimsonlineconference.com/

Brain Health as a Global Priority – Time for the EU to Act Now
2020-02-18
On 18 February 2020, EFNA together with EBC and EAN, will hold the event “Brain Health as a Global Priority – Time for the EU to Act Now” in the European Parliament, Brussels from 11am to 1pm in Room 6Q1, hosted by Jarosław Duda, EPP.
Click here to REGISTER.
The event is held under the patronage of Members of the European Parliament [EP]:

Ewa Kopacz, Vice President of the EP, European People’s Party [EPP]
Mairead McGuinness, Vice President of the EP, European People’s Party [EPP]
Frédérique Ries, Vice-Chair, Renew Europe [RE]
Kateřina Konečná, European United Left–Nordic Green Left [GUE/NGL]
Tilly Metz, Group of the Greens/European Free Alliance [EFA]

The event looks to explore the following:
Is brain health a global priority?
In the Political Declaration on Non-Communicable Diseases (NCDs), which arose from the United Nations (UN) High-Level Meeting on NCDs in 2018, all Governments recognized that ‘mental disorders and other mental health conditions, as well as neurological disorders, contribute to the global burden of NCDs. It resulted in adding mental and neurological health as the ‘5th NCD’, complementing global efforts to combat cancer, CVD, diabetes and chronic respiratory diseases. This has been reinforced in the recent 2019 UN Declaration on the Universal Health Coverage, where ‘mental disorders and other mental health conditions as well as neurological disorders’ have been identified as an ‘essential component of UHC’. Additionally, the World Health Organisation (WHO) is also now building a new Brain Health team to operate from its headquarters in Geneva. The question now is how can we ensure this progress can be translated into policy action at EU and member state level?
How do we make brain health an EU priority?
It is clear that we can no longer afford to soft-pedal the agenda of brain health, which has been largely neglected in the Union’s efforts in addressing NCDs. We need to follow the data and work together towards effective and implementable solutions. We will discuss these issues at the event, with key actors engaged in health promotion and disease prevention at the global and EU level. This will include representatives from WHO, EU Member States, NCD global and European advocacy groups, patient organizations, clinicians and more, along with Members of the European Parliament and European Commission. It will allow for an expert-led, action orientated discussion aimed at identifying challenges and opportunities laying ahead of EU in the years to come.
The draft agenda is available below:

Brain Awareness Week 2020
2020-03-16 - 2020-03-22
Brain Awareness Week is the global campaign to foster public enthusiasm and support for brain science. Every March, partners host imaginative activities in their communities that share the wonders of the brain and the impact brain science has on our everyday lives. In 2020, Brain Awareness Week will take place on March 16-22.
Brain Awareness Week was founded by the Dana Alliance for Brain Initiatives (DABI) and the European Dana Alliance for the Brain (EDAB), and is coordinated by the Dana Foundation.
Annually, EBC partners with EDAB, FENS and others to organise at least one major Brain Awareness Week event in the European Parliament, highlighting the importance of brain research in Europe through various topics involving the brain. More details regarding the 2020 event will follow.
To learn more about previous BAW events, please see the following links:
2019 – “Mood and Food: Exploring the gut-brain connection”
2018 – “Expanding Brain Research in Europe: Education, Behaviour and Brain Development”
2017 – “Expanding Brain Research in Europe: A societal Need?”

Cancelled - Brain & Cancer: exploring the mysteries of their connection
2020-03-18
UPDATE: On Monday, 2 March, the European Parliament took the extraordinary decision to close its doors to all external visitors for at least the next three weeks as COVID-19 sweeps across Europe. Consequently, this event has now been cancelled. We value the importance of the topic we were meant to cover and hope that awareness on the subject can still be raised in the future.
–
On 18 March 2020, EBC will hold its annual Brain Awareness Week event, “Brain and Cancer: exploring the mysteries of their connection“ jointly organized between EBC, Federation of European Neuroscience Societies (FENS) and European Dana Alliance for the Brain (EDAB), in the European Parliament in Brussels. The event is kindly hosted by MEPs Petra de Sutter (Greens, BE), Tomislav Sokol (EPP, HR) and Frédérique Ries (Renew, BE).
In this event we would like to address the close relationships between brain and cancer. The general idea behind the topic is that brain research not only has the fundamentals to understand brain cancer but, even more generally, the burdens of cancer, which have immense implications in mental health and neurological aspects.
The brain is not only the site of many different types of tumours, but with its complexity the brain is guiding all our actions including our reactions to distressful situations. The level of distress ranges from being able to adjust to living with cancer to having a serious mental health problem, such as major depression.
In addition, neurological complications caused by systemic cancers—those arising outside the nervous system—can cause signs and symptoms that are more distressing and disabling than the cancer itself and, if left untreated, can be fatal.
We will tackle cancer from a “brain” perspective, by first discussing how fundamental neuroscience research on development and differentiation can be informative for the genesis of brain tumours but also discussing neurological and psychiatric complication of systemic cancer.
Speakers will include:
1.Dr Laura Andreae (FENS-Kavli Scholar)
2. Kathy Oliver (International Brain Tumour Alliance)
3. Prof. Riccardo Soffietti (European Association of Neuro-oncology and Member of the EAN Scientific Panel on Neuro-Oncology)
4. Prof. Isabelle Merckaert (Psychosomatic and Psycho-Oncology Research Unit, Université Libre de Bruxelles)
The Joint statement on making cancer related complications and comorbidities an EU health priority, will also be presented by Antonella Cardone, Director of the European Cancer Patient Coalition

“Huntington’s disease and the Covid-19 pandemic – a difficult combination” - EHA & ERN-RND webinar
2020-04-06 16:00 - 17:00
Special webinar organised by the European Huntington’s Disease Association (EHA) and the European Reference Network for Rare Neurological Diseases (ERN-RND):
Date: Monday April 6
Time: 4 pm – 5.30 CET
Topic: “Huntington’s disease and the Covid-19 pandemic – a difficult combination”
Join the webinar: https://zoom.us/j/284555212
There is no need to sign up in advance to the webinar.

Further details:
The current situation related to the Covid-19 pandemic causes a lot of strain and isolation on Huntington’s disease (HD) patients and their families. All the restrictions imply big changes in daily life and the routines are hard to maintain. We hear that families struggle, feel scared and isolated.
In order to support you in this situation, EHA and ERN-RND are organizing a webinar on Zoom with a panel of multi language HD experts from a variety of European countries well-known in the HD community and active members of the European HD Network (EHDN).
The webinar will give you information about the specific risks for HD patients, update on consequences for the ongoing HD studies and trials, and some advice on how to cope with this new situation. The experts are there to answer any question you have in your language.
Confirmed speakers:

Astri Arnesen – European Huntington Association
Professor Bernhard Landwehrmeyer (Neurologist) – Germany
Alzbeta Muehlbaeck (Neuropsychiatrist ) – Germany/Slovakia
Professor Anne-Catherine Bahoud Levi (Neurologist) – France
Professor Hugh Rickards (Psychiatrist) – UK
Dr Yuri Seliverstov – Russia
Natalia Grigorova (Psychologist) – Bulgaria
Filipa Julio (Neuropsychologist) – Portugal
Dr Alzbeta Muehlbaeck (Neuropsychiatrist) – Germany
Professor Maria Judit Molnar (Neurogeneticist) – Hungary
Dr Jose Lopez Sendon (Neurologist) – Spain
Dr Lasse Philstrøm (Neurologist) – Norway
Ramona Moldova (Neuropsychologist ) – Romania
Dr Wioletta Krysa (Geneticist ) – Poland
Professor Ferdinando Squitieri (Neurologist) – Italy
The primary target audience are patients and patients’ family members but clinicians are also very welcome to attend.
http://www.ern-rnd.eu/?p=7032

6th Congress of the European Academy of Neurology
2020-05-23 - 2020-05-26
Overarching Theme: Time for Action: Predict, Prevent, Repair
The 6th Congress of the European Academy of Neurology (EAN) goes virtual.
Abstract submission is open! The extended deadline for abstract submission is January 15th 2020.
The Scientific Programme and information on the Presidential Symposium and Brain Prize lecture can be found here
For more information please consult the EAN Congress Website

EBRA & RethinkingMS at EAN Congress 2020
2020-05-24
EBC projects EBRA and RethinkingMS will be presented during the Scientific Theatre at the upcoming EAN Congress 2020, which is going to be held virtually.
Both presentations will take place on Sunday, 24 May at 14:00 (EBRA) and 14:30 (RethinkingMS). Further details on the presentations are included below:
EBRA (European Brain Research Area): Harmonising brain research and funding initiatives in Europe
Presented by Dr Kristien Aarts, European Brain Council
The European Brain Council (EBC) launched the EBRA (European Brain Research Area) project at the end of 2018. EBRA aims to bring key players in brain research together – JPND (EU Joint Programme – Neurodegenerative Disease Research), Human Brain Project (HBP) and ERA-NET NEURON – to discuss how fragmentation in both funding and research can be reduced, as well as to identify where the gaps in knowledge are and how we can facilitate translation. A landscape of existing brain research projects, based on the funding portfolios of JPND, HBP, NEURON, Horizon 2020 and EU Framework Programme 7 will be provided. Active brain research clusters will be identified and supported in their activities and research strategies across European brain initiatives will be aligned during the development of a Shared European Brain Research Agenda (SEBRA). Through such effective and efficient collaboration and cooperation among the various initiatives, EBRA believes that brain research will achieve its full impact. Preliminary results will be presented.
More information: https://www.ebra.eu/

RETHINKING MS in Europe: prioritising integrated services for people with multiple sclerosis
Presented by Vinciane Quoidbach, European Brain Council
The European Brain Council (EBC) and The Health Policy Partnership (HPP) have been working together to create RETHINKING MS, a new project calling for change in how Multiple Sclerosis care and support is organised. The project began in 2018. EBC and HPP collaborated with experts from across Europe to build an interdisciplinary consensus around sustainable policy and regulatory responses to MS at the European level. This formed the basis of the core report, RETHINKING MS in Europe: prioritising integrated services for people with multiple sclerosis. Building on the findings from the EBC 2017 Value of Treatment report, this pan-European policy narrative identifies key challenges in MS care and makes recommendations for how they can be addressed. Results from the health services research and country situation assessment will be presented.
More information: https://www.braincouncil.eu/rethinkingms/

Severely affected patients in neurology and psychiatry: Detecting - Managing - Refining - Virtual Meeting - Special Session, EAN Congress, 24 May 2020
2020-05-24 08:00 - 09:30
EBC will hold the Special Session (virtual meeting) entitled “Severely affected patients in neurology and psychiatry: Detecting – Managing – Refining” as part of the 6th EAN Congress on Sunday 24th May from 08:00 – 09:30 AM.
A wide range of commonalities exist in the domains of neurology and psychiatry as regards to the management of patients living with severe neurological or mental conditions. Such diseases greatly impact the lives of those affected. The aim of this session is to look into developing appropriate solutions and strategies that benefit patients in neurology and psychiatry. For that purpose, the session will bring together different perspectives on common aspects and challenges related to diagnosis and management as well as refinement of treatments and long-term specialist care of severely affected patients in neurology and psychiatry.
The session will be chaired by Ms Joke Jaarsma, Treasurer of EBC and President of the European Federation of Neurological Associations.
Speakers include:

Prof. David B. Vodusek, European Academy of Neurology – The Perspective of Neurology
Prof. Philip Gorwood, European Psychiatric Association – Similarities in Psychiatry
Prof. Bruno Dubois, Salpétrière University Hospital – National plans against neurodegenerative diseases in France and management of severe patients

The session can be followed online by registering to the EAN congress here.
