Consensus Document on European Brain Research

Abstract

Psychiatric and neurological diseases combined represent a considerable social and economic burden in Europe. A recent study conducted by the European Brain Council (EBC) quantified the 'cost and burden' of major brain diseases in Europe, amounting to €386bn per year. Considering that these costs will increase exponentially in the years to come due to ageing of the European population, it is necessary to act now in order to curb this increase and possibly reverse the trend. Thus, establishing a strong European platform supporting basic and clinical research in neuroscience is needed to confront the economic and social challenge posed by management of brain diseases in European countries. To setup a platform for discussion, EBC published in 2006 a Consensus Document on European Brain Research, describing needs and achievements of research in Europe and presenting proposals for future research programs. Since 2006, European research in neuroscience has advanced tremendously. The present document represents an update elaborated to reflect changes in research priorities and advances in brain research that have taken place since 2006. The same approach and format have been used here as in the previous version. Multinational and multidisciplinary teams have once again come together to express their views, not only on the current strengths in European research, but also on what needs to be done in priority, hoping that this update will inspire policy makers and stakeholders in directing funding for research in Europe.

Learning from the past and looking to the future: Emerging perspectives for improving the treatment of psychiatric disorders

“…Along these lines, there have been many important and welcome moves to extend progress in neuropsychopharmacology to economically less-ENP25 SV CHAPTER TEXT AND CITATION TO SUBMIT AND SEND 14 12 14 46 46 favoured regions and to establish a genuinely global framework for researching and improving brain health (Abbott and Schiermeier, 2014;Beddington et al, 2008;Cameron et al, 2009;Di Luca et al, 2011;Downs and Blackburn, 2012;Haro et al, 2014;Khanna, 2012;Lariviere et al, 2013;Olesen et al, 2006;. It should not, however, be forgotten that in many regions success might depend upon a broader sweep of strategies for improving basic living standards and hygiene, for countering isolation and poverty, and for promoting greener urbanism and environmental protection (Alcock et al, 2014;Astell-Burt et al, 2013;Collins et al, 2013;Nutsford et al, 2013;Ochodo et al, 2014;Richardson et al, 2013;Sharan et al, 2009;Tomlinson et al, 2009).…”

Pathological circuit function underlying addiction and anxiety disorders

“…While the preva lence of addiction over the last 20 years has remained constant, there has been an increase in the diseaseassociated cost 4 . Although the diagnostic criteria listed in the American Psychiatric Association's Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders are useful in the clinic, they have contributed little to facilitating research into the underlying neural mechanisms.…”

“…Together, they are among the most prevalent of neuropsychiatric disorders, with a trend of increasing occurrence 4 . The etiology remains unknown but may include traumatic experiences along with genetic and develop mental mechanisms.…”

Moving rehabilitation research forward: Developing consensus statements for rehabilitation and recovery research

“…5 We define stroke recovery biomarkers as ''indicators of disease state that can be used clinically as a measure reflecting underlying molecular/ cellular processes that may be difficult to measure directly in humans, and could be used to predict recovery/ treatment response,'' which may include markers of biology (blood, genetics), imaging (structural, functional, chemical), neurophysiology (patterns of brain excitability or electrical activity), or combinations of such. 1,18,19 While most research has explored relationships between late biomarkers 3-6 months post-stroke) and final stages of recovery, 19,20 investigation of early biomarkers (<7 days), reflecting the mechanisms of spontaneous biological recovery, is an urgent priority. Furthermore, distinction is required between cross-sectional measures that capture biological state, measures that predict future clinical events, and measures that change in parallel with behavioural change; each of these has value in stroke research.…”