Programme - 13 November 2024

Click on a session to learn more. The majority of the sessions will take place in the STUDIO. Parallel sessions will be held in RIVER 6 and the Innovation Hall, continuously open throughout the two-day event, is set up in the RIVERSIDE.

08:30 - 09:30 | Registration and Welcome Breakfast

09:30 - 09:40 | Welcome

09:40 - 10:00 | Opening Brain Talk: Blowing, Expanding & Losing the Mind

10:00 - 10:10 | Opening Address by European Commission

10:10 - 10:50 | Opening Panel Discussion: Navigating the Future: Shaping Policies to Amplify Brain Innovation in Europe

10:50 - 11:05 | Innovation Elevator Pitches

11:05 - 11:30 | Break: Innovation Hall Officially Open

11:30 - 11:50 | Fireside Chat: Caregiving Moonshots: Considering Cures Unlike Those Before

11:50 - 12:40 | Panel discussion: Accelerating Brain Research and Innovation in Europe and globally

12:40 - 12:55 | Brain Talk: A Consensus Roadmap for a New Diagnostic Framework for Brain Disorders

12:55 - 13:05 | Brain Talk: From Rats to Men: The Influence of the Social Context on Drug Consumption

13:05 - 14:05 | Lunch Break

13:45 - 15:35 | Parallel Session | A Healthy Brain in a Healthy Body: Bridging Brain and Somatic Health

14:05 - 14:10 | Introductory Video by European Medicine Agency

14:10 - 15:05 | Platinum Session: Accelerating Patient Experience Data (PED) Utilisation in Neurology: A Collaborative Approach

15:05 - 15:35 | Innovative Session: 5 Ironmans Beat Alzheimer's: A documentary movie to raise awareness of Alzheimer's while racing 5 Ironmans in EU

15:35 - 16:05 | Break

16:05 - 16:20 | Brain Talk: Patient Innovation - The Power of Patients to Drive Change in Healthcare

16:05 - 17:50 | Parallel Session | Harnessing AI for Brain Health: Lab to Market to Society

16:20 - 16:50 | Innovative Session: Advancing and transforming dementia care through technology: bridging research, clinical practice, and digital tools for prevention and medical care?

16:50 - 17:05 | Brain Talk: A European Registry of Non-Pharmacological Interventions

17:05 - 17:45 | Panel discussion: Enhancing Brain Health Through Sound

17:45 - 18:00 | Closing Day 1

18:00 - 21:00 | Walking Dinner

08:30 - 09:30 | Registration and Welcome Breakfast

Grab a bite and meet the speakers of the day and other key attendees in the Innovation Hall.

09:30 - 09:40 | Welcome

Lisa Burke

Master of Ceremony

Suzanne Dickson

President

European Brain Council

The 4th in-person Brain Innovation Days officially opens with a welcome from our Master of Ceremony and leadership of the organisers, the European Brain Council.

09:40 - 10:00 | Opening Brain Talk

Blowing, Expanding & Losing the Mind

Baroness Susan Greenfield

CEO and Founder

Neuro-Bio

The human brain becomes highly personalized after birth by the development of unique configurations of connections between the brain cells that characterize its subsequent growth, personalizing it into what we would call a ‘mind’ that is in constant dialogue with the environment. We shall explore insights from neuroscience into (i) ‘blowing’ the mind; (ii) expanding the mind; (iii) losing the mind. 

(i) Since the 21st Century is delivering a vast range of new digital technologies that are transforming our environment in unprecedented ways, it follows that the human brain, and thus our minds, could also be undergoing unprecedented changes, particularly in the young where the appeal to live in the immediate sensory press of the moment has never been greater.  

(ii) Consciousness is the ultimate miracle, – and enigma. We will explore how consciousness could grow as brains grow, as a continuously variable property of the brain, in both phylogenetic and ontogenetic terms. How could such a dynamic process ever be tractable to experimentation? ‘Neuronal assemblies’ are large scale (tens of millions), highly transient (sub-second) neuronal coalitions that could provide a sensitive objective correlate to subjective experience.

(iii) When it comes to older age, one of the biggest problems of our time, is Alzheimer’s Disease: a basic problem is that existing therapies target symptoms in the late stages, but don’t arrest progression. However we shall discuss a new approach identifying the pivotal basic mechanism as an inappropriate reactivation of a developmental  process that becomes toxic in the context of the mature brain.

10:00 - 10:10 | Opening Address by European Commission

Irene Norstedt

Director

Directorate to ‘People: Health & Society’, Directorate-General for Research and Innovation, European Commission

10:10 - 10:50 | Opening Panel Discussion

Navigating the Future: Shaping Policies to Amplify Brain Innovation in Europe

Ágota Dávid

Science Attaché

Permanent Representation of Hungary to the EU

Leszek Kaczmarek

Member of the Scientific Council (Neurobiology)

European Research Council

Kasia Jurczak

Head of the Combatting Diseases (RTD.D.1) Unit

Directorate-General for Research and Innovation, European Commission

Frédéric Destrebecq

Executive Director

European Brain Council

This panel discussion will center on the policy requirements essential for ensuring the successful integration of innovation within European society. Focusing on the multifaceted nature of brain health, high-level panellists will highlight the importance of collaboration between decision-makers, patients, researchers, clinicians, and the wider community. By identifying and addressing critical gaps, efficient and targeted strategies can be implemented to better prioritize brain health, research and innovation. This approach not only alleviates existing challenges but also promotes overall well-being, creating a positive feedback loop that stimulates economic progress. Investing in brain health paves the way towards a healthier future for all citizens, illustrating how enhancing individual well-being directly contributes to the strength and resilience of society as a whole.

Timeless Brains: Nurturing Resilience, Embracing Change

10:50 - 11:05 | Innovation Elevator Pitches

Curious to learn more about the latest in brain innovation? Don’t miss Innovation Elevator Pitches, the spotlight on our Poster & Innovation showcasers. Each will be given 30 seconds to pitch their work to entice you to drop by later for a deep dive and further discussion.

Guillaume Blivet

CIO, REGEnLIFE

Neuromodulation beyond the brain: A brain-gut photostimulation solution to treat neurological conditions.

Jessica Nastos

Project and Communication Coordinator, International Diabetes Federation (IDF)

Improving Public Understanding of Insulin-related Brain and Somatic Diseases and Dissemination of the PRIME Study Results

Chiara Lovati

Sociologist, Observa Science in Society

Communicating brain data: patients and clinicians in health social laboratories

Hans Warinnier

Chief Medical Officer, Bioxodes SA

A tick saliva molecule to rescue lives after intracerebral haemorrhage

Lyuba Zehl

Data & Knowledge Engineering team, EBRAINS

A holistic research infrastructure for fair brain science

Guillaume Blivet

CIO, REGEnLIFE

A brain-gut stimulation therapy for alzheimer's disease: from preclinical research to clinical trials and market access

Carla García Carrancio

Global Marketing Partner, Neurology

Alexion

Lisa Burke

Master of Ceremony

Helen Uvarenko

Malina More

Anna Radovenchik

Founder, Malina More

João Amaro

Assistant Researcher, FMUL

Novel data collection unit with EEG, physiological, and environmental sensors for outdoor urban environments.

Mark Melnykowycz

Product Design Lead, IDUN Technologies

Focus and cognitive workload tracking with brain-sensing earbuds

11:05 - 11:30 | Break

Innovation Hall Officially Open

Grab a coffee and begin your rounds within the Innovation Hall, where we welcome a number of exciting Innovation Showcases and Poster Presentations.

11:30 - 11:45 | Brain Talk

A Consensus Roadmap for a New Diagnostic Framework for Brain Disorders

Martien Kas

President

European College of Neuropsychopharmacology

Current mental health classifications group disorders into distinct categories, but this approach fails to account for overlapping symptoms and underlying biology. Martien Kas will raise the need for a new diagnostic framework that incorporates biological insights to enhance precision in diagnosis and treatment. Exploring how the new pathways neurobiology is opening to precision diagnostics have the potential to transform neuropsychiatric treatment science.

Blossoming Brains: Early Brain Development

11:45 - 12:35 | Panel discussion

Accelerating Brain Research and Innovation in Europe and Globally

Shiva Dustdar

Director and Head of the EIB Institute

European Investment Bank

Niklas Blomberg

Executive Director

Innovative Health Initiative

Magda Chlebus

Executive Director, Science Policy & Regulatory Affairs

European Federation of Pharmaceutical Industries Associations

Pavel Balabanov

Head of Therapies for Neurological and Psychiatric Disorders

European Medicine Agency

Ulrike Busshoff

Coordinator

Coordination and Support Action (CSA) BrainHealth

Frédéric Destrebecq

Executive Director

European Brain Council

This panel discussion will bring together policymakers, scientists, and key industry players to present the current advances, drivers and barriers in the brain research and innovation space. By prioritizing brain health and fostering innovative solutions, we aim to reduce the societal and economic burdens of brain disorders. Attendees will explore strategies to integrate brain health into broader health policies and economic frameworks.

Holistic Brains: Strategies for Brain Health in a Dynamic Society

12:35 - 12:55 | Fireside Chat

Caregiving Moonshots: Considering Cures Unlike Those Before

Richard Lui

News Anchor, Founder, Author and Filmmaker

Frédéric Destrebecq

Executive Director

European Brain Council

Over 100 million people in the European Union are family caregivers, unpaid and untrained, crossing every major disease, including Alzheimer’s and/or dementia. They represent unrealized value that could be 10 percent of GDP or more. This fireside chat considers the structures needed for the big ideas that could change a major untapped sector of every country’s economy.

12:55 - 13:05 | Brain Talk

From Rats to Men: The Influence of the Social Context on Drug Consumption

Christelle Baunez

Research Director

Institut de Neurosciences de la Timone, CNRS & Aix-Marseille Université

It is a truism that drug consumption often happens in a social context that can have a significant influence. Intuitively we may think that the presence of a peer has mostly a negative impact, but it is not necessarily the case! What is happening in the brain when we are under the influence of a social partner? Animals studies can tell us a lot about it.

13:05 - 14:05 | Lunch Break

Grab a bite and meet the speakers of the day and other key attendees in the Innovation Hall. Continue your rounds within the Innovation Hall, where we will welcome a number of exciting Innovation Showcases and Posters.

14:05 - 14:10 | Introductory Video by European Medicine Agency

Kaisa Immonen

Patient Liaison Expert

European Medicine Agency

The EMA patient experience data in EU medicines development and regulatory decision-making report will be presented.

14:10 - 15:05 | Platinum Session

Accelerating Patient Experience Data (PED) Utilisation in Neurology: A Collaborative Approach

Pavel Balabanov

Head of Therapies for Neurological and Psychiatric Disorders

European Medicines Agency

Dimitrios Georgiopoulos

Senior Vice President

Global Business Franchise Head Neurology & Immunology at Merck

Astri Arnesen

President

European Federation for Neurological Associations

Gianni Franco

Neurologist

President of the Belgian francophone Parkinson’ s Association and Representative of the Non Pharmacological Society (NPIS)

Paola Zaratin

Co-Chair

Global Patient Reported Outcome for MS Scientific Committee

Despite the critical role of Patient Experience Data (PED) in measuring symptoms that affect patients’ quality of life in neurology, they often lack recognition compared to traditional clinical measurements, hindering innovation and development of treatments that address unmet patient needs. Discussions will focus on tackling challenges related to PED utilization, including adapting PEDs to patient needs, increasing their uptake in clinical practice, and evaluating their benefits in value assessments. Participants will propose measures from a multi-stakeholder perspective to improve the recognition and inclusion of PEDs in neurology.

15:05 - 15:35 | Innovative Session

5 Ironmans Beat Alzheimer's: A Documentary Movie to Raise Awareness of Alzheimer's While Racing 5 Ironmans in EU

Hassan Fadli

Founder

5 Ironmans Beat Alzheimer's

Adrien Rivollier

Movie Director

Lavinia Alberi Auber

Head of Strategy

5 Ironmans Beat Alzheimer's

Lisa Burke

Master of Ceremony

Documentary movie focusing on hope, early diagnosis and solutions about Alzheimer’s. The documentary creators met with researchers, medical staff, patients and caregivers during each of the 5 Ironmans race challenges in 2023-24. These took place in Switzerland, Portugal, France, Sweden and Spain. Their aim is to raise the public’s  awareness of Alzheimer’s and to promote early prevention through best practices in health and wellness to ultimately beat Alzheimer’s and all dementia related diseases. 

Timeless Brains: Nurturing Resilience, Embracing Change

15:35 - 16:05 | Break

Grab a coffee and meet the speakers of the day and other key attendees in the Innovation Hall. Continue your rounds within the Innovation Hall, where we will welcome a number of exciting Innovation Showcases and Poster Presentations.

16:05 - 16:20 | Brain Talk

Patient Innovation: The Power of Patients to Drive Change in Healthcare

Gemma Tria

Community Manager

Patient Innovation

This session explores an alternative perspective on medical innovation by examining the transformative role of patients in healthcare. The Patient Innovation project will be presented, showcasing its activities designed to foster a more inclusive healthcare innovation ecosystem through multi-stakeholder collaboration. Patient Innovation best practices will be highlighted to inspire attendees to engage in innovative healthcare solutions. Discover how patients can be key drivers of change in healthcare.

Timeless Brains: Nurturing Resilience, Embracing Change

16:20 - 16:50 | Innovative Session

Advancing and Transforming Dementia Care Through Technology: Bridging Research, Clinical Practice, and Digital Tools for Prevention and Medical Care

Valerie Godefroy

Post-Doctoral Researcher

Paris Brain Institute

Emrah Duezel

Research Group Leader, Clinical Neurophysiology and Memory

DZNE, Germany / CSO and co-founder Neotiv

Maarten Van Den Bossche

Professor and Geriatric Psychiatrist

UPC-KU Leuven, Mission Lucidity, Belgium

Sarah Daniels

Consultant Therapist, Health and Social Care Lead

UK Dementia Research Institute

Jurn Verschraegen

Director

Flemish Expert Centre on Dementia Care

Lisa Burke

Master of Ceremony

Today, digital technologies measuring biometrics have become commonplace, from tracking daily step counts and heart rates during morning jogs to analysing nightly deep sleep duration. Can these technologies also be leveraged to provide reliable information in dementia research and care? This panel discussion aims to explore the transformative potential of digital technology, particularly sensing devices and wearable biometrics, in enhancing dementia care and personalizing interventions. The focus will be on how digital technology and biomarkers such as wearable-derived measures can revolutionize dementia care by providing continuous, real-time monitoring of biometrics, enabling early detection of cognitive decline and behavioural changes, and facilitating tailored interventions. 

Timeless Brains: Nurturing Resilience, Embracing Change

16:50 - 17:05 | Brain Talk

A European Registry of Non-Pharmacological Interventions

Gregory Ninot

President

Non-Pharmacological Intervention Society

Advances in early diagnosis on brain diseases and screening for fragility are an opportunity to propose preventive and care services that significantly improve health, autonomy, longevity and health-related quality of life, potentiate biomedical treatments, reduce avoidable healthcare expenditure and trigger lasting health behavioural changes. They justify evidence-based, targeted and personalized interventions such as non-pharmacological interventions (WHO, 2003; WHO-Europe, 2021; European Centre for Disease Prevention and Control, 2022; European Commission, 2022).

A transdisciplinary, intersectoral, participative, independent, pragmatic and rigorous work involved over 1000 persons in France co-constructed a consensual pragmatic and global framework to produce evidence for non-pharmacological interventions based on the principles of Evidence-Based Medicine and patient-centered approach, the NPIS Model. Then, a centralized European register of labeled, described, and codified practices can allow better information for patients, professionals and healthcare operators, but also better choice, engagement, real traceability and possible financial coverage. The Non-Pharmacological Intervention Society will present the strategy to develop the NPIS Registry in Europe.

Timeless Brains: Nurturing Resilience, Embracing Change

17:05 - 17:45 | Panel Discussion

Enhancing Brain Health Through Sound

Felix Strobl

Medical & Scientific Director, European Society of Preventive Medicine (ESPM) and Scanderra GmbH

Innovation Advisor at Ageing Research, King's College London (ARK)

Péter Kéri

President

GAMIAN-Europe

Tim Buckinx

Founder & CEO

Epihunter

Lisa Burke

Master of Ceremony

During this session, key players in the field will explain how breathing, sound, and music can promote brain health and combat brain disorders. Attendees will experience themselves the effects of breathing, sound and music in their bodies.

Timeless Brains: Nurturing Resilience, Embracing Change

Parallel Sessions

13:45 - 15:35 | PRIME Session

A Healthy Brain in a Healthy Body: Bridging Brain and Somatic Health

The increasing number of people living with two or more chronic disorders (multi-morbidities) poses an urgent need to better understand underlying mechanisms for better prevention and care throughout the life course. Somatic disorders (e.g., type 2 diabetes) and brain disorders (e.g., Alzheimer’s disorder) often co-occur. This session aims to explore the link between mental and non-mental disorders and how to better address it in clinical practice and medical education.

Barbara Franke

Project Department Head

Radboud University Medical Center (Radboudumc)

Marina Koussathana

Project Advisor

European Health and Digital Executive Agency (HaDEA)

Session 1: Latest EU Research Bridging Brain and Somatic Disorders

Andreas Reif

Professor, Head of Department, Psychiatrist

University Hospital Frankfurt

Henrik Larsson

Professor

Örebro University / TIMESPAN coordinator

Session 2: Patient Perspective on the Need to Integrate Brain and Body Care

Angela Bradshaw

Director for Research

Alzheimer Europe

Nina Hoven

President

ADHD Europe

Jessica Nastos

Project and Communication Coordinator

International Diabetes Federation

Geert Poelmans

Director, Chief Scientific Officer

Drug Target ID B.V

Session 3: Clinical Guidelines and Medical Education

Sandra Kooij

Prof. Dr., Amsterdam UMC/VUMC and PsyQ, Chair

Section on Neurodevelopmental Disorders Across the Lifespan, European Psychiatric Association

Alexander Haege

Child and Adolescent Psychiatrist and Psychotherapist

Central Institute of Mental Health

Geert Poelmans

Director, Chief Scientific Officer

Drug Target ID B.V

Holistic Brains: Strategies for Brain Health in a Dynamic Society

16:05 - 17:50 | BRAINTEASER Session

Harnessing AI for Brain Health: Lab to Market to Society

Artificial intelligence (AI) in healthcare is a booming field: the development of computer programs and systems able to emulate tasks normally requiring human intelligence such as recognizing patterns, taking decisions, evaluating and predicting is set to revolutionize the care of people with a brain disease. This session aims to shed light on AI excellence thriving from the lab to the market to the benefit of people living with a brain condition.

Claudia Prettner

Project Advisor

European Health and Digital Executive Agency (HaDEA)

Barbara Di Camillo

BRAINTEASER Scientific Coordinator

Information Engineering Department, University of Padova

Session 1: From Lab to Market - Unlocking the Translation of Research into Innovation

Liesbet Geris

Professor, Research & Technology Working Group Leader

University of Liège, KU Leuven, Avicenna Alliance

Elisabetta Vaudano

Principal Scientific Manager

Innovative Health Initiative

Mats Sundgren

Senior Industry Scientific Director

European Institute for Innovation Through Health Data

Gianmaria Silvello

Professor

University of Padua / HEREDITARY Coordinator

Session 2: From Lab to Society - Enabling Remote, Value-Based and Patient-Centred Care

Leon Brudy

Business Development Manager EMEA

Garmin Health

Elisabeth Kasilingam

CEO

European Multiple Sclerosis Platform

Umberto Manera

Assistant Professor

Department of Neuroscience, University of Turin

Natalia Allegretti

Senior Innovation Project Manager

ECHAlliance

Session 3: BRAINTEASER - Advancing Remote Monitoring and Clinical Decision Making

Vebjørn Andersson

Research Coordinator, Oslo University Hospital

AI-Mind Project Coordinator

Carlos de Miguel Sánchez

Neurologist

General University Hospital Gregorio Marañón

Umberto Manera

Assistant Professor

Department of Neuroscience, University of Turin

Vincenzo Carbone

Senior Product Manager MedTech

InSilicoTrials

Session 4: BRAINTEASER Exploitation Roadmap - Key Takeaways

Vincenzo Carbone

Senior Product Manager MedTech

InSilicoTrials

Advancements in Neurotechnology: Pioneering Innovations

17:45 - 18:00 | Closing Day 1

Lisa Burke

Master of Ceremony

Suzanne Dickson

President

European Brain Council

18:00 - 21:00 | Walking Dinner

Back to Programme Overview

Please note that this is a provisional programme which may still be subject to change.