European Brain Council (EBC)

EU Health Summit 2020: Time for action
2020-10-26 13:30 - 17:30 UTC
The COVID-19 pandemic has shown us the importance of cooperation between all sectors and actors to ensure our healthcare systems can function to their best ability in saving human lives.
In 2018, 33 organisations came together under the umbrella of the EU Health Coalition. They jointly developed 20 recommendations for a healthier Europe to promote a shared vision of health in Europe.
This year, it is time for action. For the second edition of the EU Health Summit, all participants will develop implementing actions for policymakers and stakeholders to translate the 2018 recommendations into concrete policy change and improve Europeans’ health and health systems’ sustainability.
Register here to join the discussion on 26 October.

Brain Innovation Days 2020
2020-10-13 12:30 - 14:30
The European Brain Council and beLean.net will virtually launch the first Brain Innovation Days on 13 October, 2020, with the full on-site event to be held 12-13 October 2021 in Brussels.
179 million Europeans are currently living with brain disorders and this is to steadily increase as the population ages. Though one in three Europeans are set to live with a brain disease at some point of their life, neurological and mental alike. In addition, it is estimated that brain disorders account for up to 45% of total healthcare budgets and this burden is expected to grow.
Despite the prevalence of brain disorders in Europe, there is currently no disease modifying treatment available to cure a wide range of mental and neurological conditions. Developing treatments that can significantly improve the lives of those living with brain disorders is extremely challenging.
Yet, compared to other disease areas, the pace of innovation in this field has traditionally been hindered by multiple factors, including the complexity of the brain itself. As a result, brain treatments remain insufficient and research is disproportionately underfunded compared to other disease areas. We believe enhanced multi-stakeholder engagement in the brain ecosystem is needed to foster dialogue, exchange knowledge, accelerate investment in research and innovation, facilitate business development and showcase on-going work.
Visit & follow the #BIDays Social Media Channels:

EBC Sessions at Digitalscience@UNGA75
2020-09-30 12:00 - 16:00
EBC has been invited to host two side sessions at the upcoming sciencedigital@UNGA75 series of virtual side events within the context of the 75th United Nations General Assembly (UNGA75) in September 2020. The central theme of these activities will be to advance awareness of the role and contribution of science and digital technologies to the attainment of the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).
The objective will be to develop and launch science and digital capacity initiatives and demonstrate global science mechanisms and activities in support of the attainment of the SDGs. Science infrastructures and digital research capacity building are crucial to enable scientists to collaborate at global level to create opportunities for wide-ranging initiatives that can produce innovations to address challenges in the area of health, climate, environment, energy, agriculture, and food, amongst a range of other objectives.
On 30 September, EBC will host the following sessions:
The Potentials of Increased Collaboration in Science: examples from the brain community (12:00-14:00 CET)
Enhancing global collaboration in the domain of research and innovation is key for effectively addressing today’s societal challenges and improving the health and well-being of citizens. This is particularly true for brain disorders, including both neurological and mental conditions, which are widespread and highly disabling diseases that are often difficult to treat. The EU has demonstrated its ability to be an important interlocutor in promoting international research collaboration in a wide range of areas, ranging from problems connected to climate change to issues such as agriculture and energy, which is expected to deliver promising results in the near future. It is therefore crucial to explore how global research collaboration can support brain research in a meaningful way, to the benefit of patients across the globe. This session gathers voices from across the world showcasing their international partnerships and the importance of building and fostering international connections in science, with insight from the European Union, North America, Asia, Oceania, Africa as well as international organisations. Register to attend HERE.

Do the SDGs address the global burden of disease? A focus on regional health and research policies (14:00-16:00 CET)
Co-organised with the European Federation of Neurological Associations (EFNA). Brain disorders, neurological and mental alike, have the highest disease burden. Neurological disorders alone are the leading cause of DALYs and second leading cause of deaths worldwide, affecting one in three people. The leading cause of DALYs by 2030 is projected to be unipolar depressive disorders. Thus, global momentum to address the threat posed by brain disorders is increasing. In 2018 mental and neurological disorders were added by world leaders to the list of priority non-communicable diseases. In 2019 WHO established a “Brain Health” team. In 2020 WHO Member States requested a resolution on Epilepsy and other neurological disorders that can lead to a global action plan. However, the existing high-level commitments, such as Sustainable Development Goals and Universal Health Coverage, have not afforded brain conditions the political priority that they require and fall short on tangible global commitments to reduce their burden. Strategic linkages to these high-level commitments therefore need to be built, laying out a strong foundation for an integrated and all-encompassing approach to brain health. Register to attend HERE.

Below, the programme details:
UNGA75 EBC Sessions - Both Programmes 300920

6th National Brain Council Academy
2020-09-29 16:00 - 17:00
ZOOM WEBINAR
September 29, 16:00-17:00 Brussels time
Programme
• Tomas Zdechovsky, MEP– Introduction
• Monica Di Luca, EBC President: EBC-NBCs and the new EU framework programme
• Frédéric Destrebecq, EBC Executive Director: EBC projects and NBCs
• Christina Dalla: The launching of the Hellenic Brain Council
• Fokion Dimitriadis: NBCs and the patient voice
• Pavle Andjus: NBCs and Erasmus+
• Q/A moderated by Roland Pochet
• Tomislav Sokol, MEP: Conclusions
To get the ZOOM link please register at Spyros Zorbas, email: szorbas@gmail.com

Neurological diseases: Lessons learnt from COVID and the future of neuroscience
2020-09-28 12:00 - 13:00
EFNA, EFPIA and EBC are delighted to invite you to join the virtual event:  “Neurological diseases: Lessons learnt from COVID and the future of neuroscience” taking place on  28 September from 12:00 until 13:00 CEST.

Access to care, treatments and trustworthy information has become very difficult during the first wave of the COVID-19 pandemic. How has this impacted the community of patients with neurological diseases and what can we learn from their experience? What is the role of thought leaders and patient bloggers in such a crisis? How can industry and patient organisations work better together to find solutions and in the longer run: how will the future of neuroscience look like?
These are the questions we will aim to discuss during our one- hour interactive webinar with our panelists:
Birgit Bauer, Blogger and social media expert living with MS
Donna Walsh, Executive Director, EFNA
Vanessa Pott, Director, Global Patient Insights and Advocacy, Merck
The discussion will be moderated by Jacki Davis.

Please join us and register via the link here.

The future of brain health in Europe
2020-09-17 08:30 - 09:30
We are pleased to invite you to an Incisive Health morning club with Frédéric Destrebecq, Executive Director of the European Brain Council. The discussion will be introduced by Francesca Scassellati Sforzolini, Managing Director of Incisive Health Brussels, and moderated by Eduardo Pisani, Strategic Advisor at Incisive Health.
Brain disorders are one of the greatest health challenges in the EU. This challenge is accompanied by a substantial global cost to European healthcare budgets and is expected to become even greater as Europe’s population ages. While the most visible health policy initiative launched this year is Europe’s Beating Cancer Plan, it is noteworthy that the debate on a pharmaceutical policy strategy is also high on the Commission’s agenda. Both initiatives include important opportunities for advocacy on the availability and accessibility of innovative treatments, including in brain health and research.
During this morning club, Frédéric Destrebecq will build on his expertise in brain health and research and lead a discussion exploring the future of brain health innovation in Europe. The webinar will be divided into three main discussion themes. In each section, Frédéric will provide an overview and initial thoughts, before the discussion is opened up to questions.
The event will be held on Thursday 17 September 2020, 8:30 – 9:30am CET, using a secure Zoom platform. We would be grateful if you could write to MorningClub@incisivehealth.com by 14 September, to share the relevant Zoom details.

33rd ECNP Virtual Congress 2020
2020-09-12 - 2020-09-15
The ECNP Congress on 12-15 September 2020 will now be entirely virtual, using digital technology to give you a participant experience that’s innovative, flexible, user-friendly and interactive. The annual ECNP Congress is Europe’s largest meeting in applied and translational neuroscience. Held every autumn, the ECNP Congress brings together psychiatrists, neuroscientists and neurologists from around the world to discuss the latest developments in the science and treatment of brain disorders.
EBC will be present with its virtual booth for the entire duration of the event. By visiting us you will find more about all the ongoing projects and especially about EBRA and its latest developments.

FENS Forum 2020 – Special Interest Event: Neuroscience Research Funding in Europe Post-COVID-19
2020-07-15 09:30 - 10:30
The Special Interest Event “Neuroscience Research Funding in Europe Post-COVID-19” will be held as a virtual meeting at the FENS Forum 2020 on 15th July 2020 (09:30 – 10:30 AM Glasgow time). This workshop is convened by the FENS-Kavli Network of Excellence.
This Special Interest Event will communicate insights and experience on advocacy activities for neuroscience policy and funding in Europe. The goal of the workshop is to inform neuroscience researchers about strategies, mechanisms, and challenges of science advocacy in Europe; and to encourage individuals to find effective ways of engaging on policy issues.
Speakers will include active neuroscientists with significant experience in science advocacy, as well as policy professionals who work on a daily basis in implementing neuroscience funding and organization.
Chair: Tomás J. Ryan – FENS-Kavli Scholars
Speakers:

Monica Di Luca – European Brain Council
Camilla Bellone – Policy and Advocacy Committee, Society for Neuroscience
Karim Berkouk – DG Research & Innovation, European Commission
Mark Ferguson – European Innovation Council & Science Foundation Ireland

Further information can be accessed on the event web-page on the website of the FENS Forum 2020.

FENS Forum 2020 – Special Interest Event: Global Research Collaboration
2020-07-13 09:30 - 10:30
In the framework of the upcoming FENS Forum 2020, EBC will co-organize a series of activities within Forum on the topic of Global Research Collaboration, highlighting the existing partnerships within research—specifically, brain research—in the European Union, the United States and Asian countries such as China, South Korea, Japan and possibly others.
The Special Interest Event will fall on 13 July, from 9:30-10:30 GMT. It will focus on highlighting the existing partnerships within research—specifically, brain research—in the European Union, the United States and Asian countries such as China, South Korea and Japan.
Furthermore, the event will explore and showcase existing global collaboration as well as the potentials for continued expansion and how global research collaboration can support brain research. Various initiatives aimed at reinforcing global research collaboration, including in the brain research space, have been launched in recent years. The International Brain Initiative (IBI), which brings together the major “brain initiatives” across the globe, was launched with the ambitious aim of progressing ethical neuroscience research through international cooperation and knowledge sharing. The EBC-led Horizon 2020 project establishing a European Brain Research Area (EBRA) aims to reduce fragmentation in brain research and foster synergies through enhanced coordination of brain research efforts at the EU and global levels. In order to foster alignment and better co-ordination of research strategies across the European brain initiatives, a Shared European Brain Research Agenda (SEBRA) will be developed under the EBRA project. The SEBRA will focus on research opportunities and research and innovation gaps to be addressed in the field, priorities for action in the short and long term and research areas that would benefit most from cross – initiatives cooperation. It is through meetings/events such as this one that EBC and EBRA hope to feed into the formation and definition of global cooperation and initiatives with the potential of feeding into a SEBRA. Furthermore, the EU has launched several Scientific and Technical (S&T) agreements with countries across the globe that provide frameworks for robust research cooperation and enable the development of strategies for enhancing collaboration in a wide range of areas.
Chaired by EBC President, Prof. Monica Di Luca, the session will include presentations from Prof. Tracy Bale, President of the International Brain Research Organisation (IBRO) and Prof. Mohamed Hassan, President of the World Academy of Sciences as well as pre-recorded video messages on the importance of continued international collaboration in brain research from top country representatives, including EU Commissioner for Innovation, Research, Culture, Education and Youth, Mariya Gabriel; US National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke Director, Dr Walter J. Koroshetz; Society for Neuroscience (SfN) President, Prof Barry Everitt; FENS President, Prof Carmen Sandi and more.
These will be followed by a live panel discussion and Q&A, featuring

FENS 2020 Virtual Forum
2020-07-11 - 2020-07-15
The FENS Forum of Neuroscience is Europe’s largest international neuroscience conference. The Forum scientific programme covers all domains in modern brain research. The FENS 2020 Virtual Forum is the biggest virtual neuroscience meeting of its kind and will feature a high quality scientific programme and provide delegates with exciting opportunities to learn, interact, grow and network. Following the live event, an extended on-demand access of three months will allow delegates to go back and enjoy all sessions and events.

EPA 2020 Virtual Congress- Workshop: The Value of Treatment for Eating Disorders: A Joint EPA & EBC Project
2020-07-07 15:00 - 16:30
The European Brain Council (EBC) initiated a two-year research project (2015-2017) on the Value of Treatment for Brain Disorders. The European Psychiatric Association (EPA) together with Gamian Europe proposed “Eating Disorders” as a new case study to include the topic of “Transition of Care across age groups and services”. This has involved a care Pathway Analysis followed by an Economic Evaluation Study. It is hoped that the project will lead to policy recommendation on how to improve the care pathway. In this workshop we will present the findings from the midway milestone and offer the opportunity for feedback and discussion with the wider European community.
Chairs:

Palmiero Monteleone, Italy
Janet Treasure, United Kingdom

Speakers:

Eva Bonin: The Economic Analysis
Umberto Volpe: The Transition Into Care: Reducing the Duration of Untreated Illness
Fernando Fernandez-Aranda: Policy Considerations From the Professional Perspective. 1
Philip A. Gorwood: Policy Considerations From Professional Perspective. 2
Miia Männikkö (presenter), Laura Ferraro & Miia Männikkö (authors): Policy Considerations From the Family and Carer

Find further details here.

EPA 2020 Virtual Congress
2020-07-04 - 2020-07-07
To adapt to the current situation, the EPA Board has decided to transform the 28th European Congress of Psychiatry in Madrid into a fully virtual meeting that will offer the mental health community the possibility for educational exchanges, scientific news and best practice updates while protecting the safety, health, and well-being of all congress participants.
www.epa-congress.org

Webinar: Enhancing the early detection of Alzheimer’s disease through digital technologies – 23rd June 2020, 13:30 – 15:30 CEST (2 hours)
2020-06-23 13:30 - 15:30
Alzheimer’s disease (AD), which is the underlying cause in 70% of dementia cases, has a severe impact on individuals as well as their relatives and society at large. Yet, despite the high prevalence of AD dementia across Europe, it is often challenging to detect AD before clear symptoms emerge. When this condition is diagnosed, it has in many cases already caused significant nerve damage leading to impaired memory, thought processes, behaviour and social skills.
The emergence and development of digital health technologies creates new opportunities for enhancing the early detection of AD as well as addressing the lifestyle-related risk associated with AD dementia. In the light of this, the AD Detect and Prevent consortium will organize the webinar “Enhancing the early detection of Alzheimer’s disease through digital technologies” that aims to address key questions such as: How does AD affect individuals as well as the people around them? What are the main challenges in detecting AD before the onset of clear symptoms? How can lifestyle-related factors affect a person’s risk of developing AD dementia? What potential role could digital technologies play in enhancing the early detection of AD?

Please find the programme below:
Introduction
Kim Baden-Kristensen – CEO & Co-founder, Brain+
Testimony
Helen Rochford-Brennan – Chair, European Working Group of People with Dementia
Applying digital technologies in detecting cognitive decline
Prof. Masud Husain – Professor of Neurology & Cognitive Neuroscience, Oxford University
Pitfalls and challenges in early detection
Prof. Martin Rossor – NIHR National Director for Dementia Research and Principal Research Associate, UCL Queen Square Institute of Neurology
Cognitive and neuroimaging challenges associated with preclinical Alzheimer’s disease
Prof. Eric Salmon – Medical Director, GIGA Cyclotron Research Centre, University of Liege
Introduction to AD Detect and Prevent
Prof. Masud Husain – Professor of Neurology & Cognitive Neuroscience, Oxford University & Ulrik Ditlev Eriksen – Co-Founder, COO & CSO, Brain+
Open discussion
Moderated by Kim Baden-Kristensen – CEO & Co-founder, Brain+

The webinar will be held on Tuesday 23rd June 2020 from 13:30 – 15:30 CEST (2 hours).
Register for the webinar here.

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.

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/

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

“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

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

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?”

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:

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/

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

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.

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)

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.

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.

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/

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.

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.

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/
