The European Federation of Neurological Associations (EFNA), together with European Brain Council (EBC) and European Academy of Neurology (EAN), has sent an open letter to EU leaders, making a strong case for increased prioritisation of neurological/brain health in EU policies and calling for concrete measures to be undertaken to counteract the increasing burden of brain disorders.

The AD Detect and Prevent project, which is funded through Horizon 2020 and led by the Danish digital therapeutics company Brain+, aims to develop a robust digital tool for improving the early detection of Alzheimer’s disease (AD). This integrated tool aims to first detect subtle cognitive signs associated with Alzheimer’s disease (before the possible emergence of clear symptoms) and to subsequently provide personalized intervention programmes that address risk factors connected to Alzheimer’s dementia.

This September, European Member States nominated their picks for the College of Commissioners, also known as the European Commission President’s team. Each Member State needs to nominate one Commissioner, which then are assigned a portfolio, a department, by the President-elect and then heard and confirmed by the relevant committees in the European Parliament.

Online voting for the EAN Scientific Panel Management Group members will begin on 8 October and continue through to 22 October.

Application for 2020 is open from 1 August until 31 October 2019

News from other Societies

The Scientific Committee is fully committed to a great mission: To increase and share the best clinical knowledge and the cutting-edge information from translational research in all neurological fields. Main actions are i) to facilitate exchanges and synergies with the Scientific Panels ii) to support the Guideline Production Group (update and diffusion of expertise and best clinical practice), iii) to interact positively with other scientific societies with reciprocal exchanges and liaise with the European Affairs sub-Committee to increase the awareness of Neurology in Europe.

The EU Health Coalition published two statements in September on research coordination and access to innovation. The first statement called for a balanced Horizon Europe fostering research and innovation that ensures sufficient coordination. The second one argues for the creation of a Stakeholder Forum for Better Access to Health Innovation to address persisting critical health challenges in the EU.

The next examination of the European Board of Neurology (EBN) will take place on Friday, 22 May 2020 at the EAN Congress in Paris.

Health ministers and high-level representatives of the 53 Member States of the WHO European Region, as well as partner and civil society organizations, will take part in the 69th session of the WHO Regional Committee for Europe. The session took place at UN City, Copenhagen, Denmark, on 16–19 September 2019

Please find below recent articles from Swedish authors that have been published in the European Journal of Neurology.

Following the publication of its report on “The development of intercultural care and support for people with dementia from minority ethnic groups” in 2018, Alzheimer Europe has now launched an online repository of intercultural care initiatives, aimed at improving the situation of people with dementia and carers from minority ethnic backgrounds.

The 13th Baltic Sea Summer School on Epilepsy (BSSSE 13) took place for the second time in Rostock, Germany, from August 18 to 24, 2019. Participants were pleased to improve their knowledge in several areas of epilepsy in this beautiful Baltic Sea city, that harbors one of the oldest universities in Germany, for a full week.

Here are the first thress reports from those who took part in the EAN clincial Fellowships in 2019. Keep visitng EANpages over the next months to read more reports from other particpants from 2019.

I am happy to share with you that Prof. Franz Fazekas’s health has greatly improved.  We are in regular contact with him and his wife and expect (and wish) further recovery. Unfortunately, his current condition does not allow him to resume his function as President of our Society. As a consequence, the board has decided to ask me to take over his duties from September 1, 2019. To support the board and in accord with our bylaws, Prof. D. Vodusek, who already served in the EAN board, was appointed as member at large (until the next elections in Paris). I am very thankful to the entire board, the office, and particularly to Prof. G. Deuschl for their trust, support and advice in this delicate transition period.