EU Brain Thematic Network Meets to Develop Policy Statement

“There is no health without brain health.”

This statement from Tomas Ryan, PhD, associate professor of biochemistry at Trinity College in Dublin and member of the Programme Committee of the Federation of European Neuroscience Societies, underscored the theme of a robust discussion during webinar sponsored by the European Brain Council (EBC) that took place on September 5. How can we preserve what is perhaps one of the scientifically least understood fundamental components of health, social, and economic system resiliency: the brain? 

Organizations and stakeholders devoted to brain health have long competed for funding, political and public awareness, and consensus. However, today’s meeting was held with the aim of reaching a consensus on key components that will shape policy recommendations for a comprehensive European Brain, Research, and Innovation Plan (under the rubric of “Towards an EU Coordination Plan for the Brain”).

“This statement will also socialize the notions of brain capital and brain economy and reach a consensus on how pivotal they are in addressing current socioeconomic and demographic challenges and improving EU citizens’ health, with a focus on prevention of noncommunicable diseases,” said EBC president Suzanne L. Dickson, PhD, a neurobiologist and professor of neuroendocrinology at the University of Gothenburg in Sweden. The joint statement will be presented at the EU Health Policy Platform Annual Meeting in late November.

Defining Brain Health, Brain Capital

Two of the most important challenges highlighted during the meeting were funding and the lack of recognition of basic research in Europe. “The relationship between science and society in Europe seems to be a relationship that we need to make more circular,” said Ryan. Part of the challenge, however, is a lack of public awareness and understanding of neuroscience and mental illness, noted Leo Finn, a board member of the Global Alliance of Mental Illness Advocacy Networks in Brussels.

Part of the issue is that brain science itself has long been siloed. Disciplines tend to be exclusively research-oriented or clinical fields, thus reinforcing the need for a broader vision (and definition) that encompasses neurologic, neuropsychiatric, mental health, and gender disorders and will further policy goals. 

“When you research the brain, you don’t necessarily think ‘this is neurologic, this is neurodegenerative,’ and it’s a little less obvious the more you go to actual care,” said Tadeusz Hawrot, founder and president of the Psychedelic Access and Research European Alliance. “But I think we have a lot to gain in the field if we look at the brain horizontally…and in a more holistic and comprehensive way.”

A new perspective for funding is also needed, according to numerous panel members — one that empowers brain stakeholders to become involved in and recognize how brain health contributes to “brain capital.”

“The current economy is brain unhealthy,” said Harris Eyre, MD, PhD, of the Neuro-Policy Program and Harry Z. Yan and Weiman Gao Senior Fellow at Rice University Baker Institute for Public Policy, and executive director of the Brain Capital Alliance, both in Houston, Texas. 

Pointing out that the worldwide cost of mental and neurologic conditions is roughly $2.2 trillion, Eyre challenged participants to consider that current economic and societal models “evoke brain-unhealthy responses that manifest as these neurologic conditions across the lifespan.” These responses affect economic security, nation-states’ ability to educate children, and working adults’ ability to learn new and different skills, he added. The solution? In part, Eyre suggested that the network should consider strategies that allow the current environment to transition from a model that is depleting brain capital, brain health, and brain skills to a “new economic paradigm that builds brand capital and facilitates brain health, learning, adaptation, and resilience.”

Inclusiveness and Next Steps

Additional goals of the meeting included determining ways to strengthen collaboration and align efforts and funding under one strategic umbrella, in part by leveraging existing initiatives by brain community partners such as the Finnish Brain Council. Another aim is to ensure that collaboration extends well beyond the network. 

As the meeting moved toward its close, Marianne Takki, policy coordinator at DG SANTE, outlined the European Commission’s commitment to the initiative, not only in terms of soliciting a policy document but also regarding funding-related initiatives. “There are two major transactions that have direct links to brain health,” she said. “The first is the Joint Action PreventNCD (Joint Action [to] Prevent Non-Communicable Disease), which aims to address the root causes of heart disease and other NCDs (so, it also benefits the brain). And the other focuses on cardiovascular diseases and diabetes and supports 21 member states and an impressive 142 pilot projects across Europe,” she said. 

In closing, EBC Executive Director Frédéric Destrebecq, who moderated the meeting, reinforced the need for stakeholder agreement on joint priorities, as well as the need “to exploit research results, identify promising practices, and move them into the clinical side.” 

He invited contributions and communications on the network’s goals from all stakeholders, including clinicians and the public. The next meeting of the network is scheduled for October 24. 

Liz Scherer is an independent health and medical journalist based in the United States.