The Vision and Goals statement represents the future of brain research as seen by more than 300 neuroscientists, including 13 Nobel laureates, from Europe and the USA who are members of the Dana Alliances, both non-profit organisations with a mission to advance and promote brain research.

The goals challenge the reader to imagine a world in which brain diseases and mental illness can be treated effectively; in which spinal cord injury does not mean a lifetime of paralysis, and in which drug addiction, alcoholism and depression do not severely compromise people's lives.

The Dana Alliances outline an ambitious strategy to take advantage of the healing potential of the knowledge gained in the past decade.

The statement is accompanied by a progress report on brain research entitled,"Visions of the Brain". It charts landmarks in our understanding of the brain since World War II, such as brain mapping, genetics and the biological basis of behavior.

Professor Colin Blakemore, Chief Executive of the European Dana Alliance for the Brain said, "To imagine an end to brain diseases may seem far-fetched, but the amazing progress of thousands of basic and clinical neuroscientists around the globe means that we can now allow ourselves to hope for early diagnosis and effective treatments for developmental, genetic and degenerative disorders."

One clear example of how basic laboratory science ultimately benefits mankind made headline news in December 2000 when EDAB member Professor Richard Morris from Edinburgh University completed trials in mice of a possible vaccine that, one day, could protect people from Alzheimer's disease.

"We believe goals put forward by the Dana Alliances are achievable, but the means by which we will reach our targets must be supported by the public," said Professor Morris. "Dialogue between scientists and the public is essential to seek broad agreement to proceed with research that tends to generate controversy, such as animal or genetic research."

During Brain Awareness Week, hundreds of public events take place around the world to convey the importance and the promise of brain research. Brain Awareness Week is co-ordinated by the European Dana Alliance for the Brain and the Dana Alliance for Brain Initiatives.

"The public are enormously interested in science and medicine, but it is essential that they have confidence in the aims and achievements of research, and in the mechanisms to avoid risk," said Professor Blakemore. Brain Awareness Week is an exciting program of activities organized by universities, hospitals, schools, museums –- and even the arts. It is the opportunity for interaction between the public and professionals.

Dr. Irina Bystron from the Institute of Experimental Medicine in St. Petersburg, Russia, and a member of EDAB, endorsed Brain Awareness Week:

"Each year hundreds of local school children visit our labs and find out about how the brain works. This is a unique opportunity for them to consider science as a career, particularly because there are limited resources in schools in Russia to enable a child to develop an interest in science and research."

EDAB member Professor Piergiorgio Strata from the University of Turin, Italy, said, "Brain Awareness Week is terribly important in Europe because it teaches neuroscientists how to promote science. In many countries, the concept of communicating science to a general audience is relatively new. The positive feedback academics receive from the public after a successful event is very encouraging."

Professor Blakemore was "delighted and astonished" by the variety of events planned for Brain Awareness Week throughout Europe, China, Japan, India, Russia, Iran, Australia, South Africa and the USA:

"This worldwide effort surely demonstrates how firmly neuroscientists believe in sharing their knowledge with the public to ensure that they support us as we increase the pace of progress in brain research in the next decade," he said.

Related website:

European Dana Alliance for the Brain

[Contact: Elaine Snell]

08-Mar-2001