Mood Disorders are a common, chronic, severe, complex and costly group of predominantly recurrent psychiatric illness that can be devastating for the affected individual and their families and impose a high health care related burden. Major depressive disorder and bipolar disorder are the main diagnostic categories in mood disorders. There is a significant clinical need for more effective detection and better delivered treatments for these illnesses. Major depressive disorder accounts for the predominant burden associated with both unipolar and bipolar disorder. However, both the identification and management of bipolar depression are more challenging, since bipolar depression differs little symptomatically from unipolar depression and responds poorly to traditional antidepressants, which may also induce a switch to mania and/or cause rapid cycling. The physical health of people with all mood disorders is compromised and their life expectancy markedly reduced. The aim of a care pathway is to enhance quality of care by improving patient outcomes, promoting patient safety, increasing patient satisfaction, and optimizing the use of resources.

With this in mind, the European Brain Council (EBC) initiated in 2019 a study called the Value of Treatment (VoT) to address diagnostic and treatment gaps for brain (including mental and neurological) disorders. The EBC deemed it necessary to add case studies on mental health conditions such as major depressive disorder and autism. Disease treatment pathways should run from detection in the community through primary and secondary care to specialist clinics. Early intervention and continuity of care are very necessary to effectively manage patients’ mood disorders and overall health.

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The annual European College of Neuropsychopharmacology (ECNP) Congress is Europe’s premier scientific meeting for disease-oriented brain research, annually attracting more than 5,000 psychiatrists, neuroscientists, neurologists and psychologists from around the world.

The European College of Neuropsychopharmacology (ECNP) is an independent scientific association dedicated to the science and treatment of disorders of the brain. It is the largest non-institutional supporter of applied and translational neuroscience research and education in Europe.

EBC was pleased to take part in the ECNP Congress which took place on 15-18 October 2022 in Vienna (Austria) and virtually. Alongside an Exhibition Stand in the exhibition area (booth 16), EBC had a campfire session The value of early intervention and continuity of care for mental disorders take place on 17 October at 11:15 – 12:00. The session, moderated by Prof. Judit Simon, featured the following presentations:

• The value of early intervention for associated epilepsy in autism by Prof. Celso Arango, Spain
• The value of early intervention and continuity of care for mood disorders by Prof. Allan Young, United Kingdom

Additionally, the EBC project the European Brain Research Area (EBRA) was showcased at the congress through a poster.

We look forward to the next year’s congress which will take place from 7-10 October 2023 in Barcelona (Spain)!

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You can read and download the full report here.

The post EBC launches 2019 Annual Report appeared first on European Brain Council (EBC).

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.

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.

Today’s event aims to:

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

A summary of the report is available below and the full report can be read and downloaded HERE.

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