(9-10 December 2024) Towards a strengthened European cooperation in Brain health research

Despite extensive global research, the brain, its functions, and its complexity remain largely mysterious, particularly in terms of maintaining its health. Brain health is an evolving concept that includes neural development, plasticity, functioning, and recovery, along with mental health aspects throughout the life course. Various interconnected social, environmental, lifestyle choices, and biological determinants influence brain development and health over a lifetime. Recent societal changes, such as aging populations, the COVID-19 pandemic, environmental pollution, unhealthy diets and lifestyles, and lack of exercise, have increasingly negative impacts on brain health.

The conference aims to address this crucial topic for European society by promoting a multi-stakeholder approach to maximize the societal impact of brain health research. It seeks to gather feedback on the challenges and best practices of cooperation and discuss potential pathways towards effective and dynamic pan-European research and innovation collaboration. The event will feature various plenary and interactive formats to engage stakeholders, including workshops and side events. The conference will focus on two interconnected aspects: addressing brain health with a holistic view through cooperation among stakeholders in the European research and innovation ecosystem, and the role of joint European research and innovation initiatives in promoting brain health by incentivizing and funding collaborative research to achieve societal impact.

On Tuesday 10 December, from 11:30-12:30, EBRAINS Joint-CEO Philippe Vernier will moderate the 'Role of research infrastructures in European Brain Health research' panel. He will joined by Jens K. Habermann, Director General, BBMRI, Dr. Mara D'Onofrio, Scientific coordinator and Head of the Genomics Facility, EBRI – European Brain Research Institute Rita Levi-Montalcini, and György Vámosi, Euro-BioImaging (EuBI).

More information can be found on the event website.