Alzheimer Europe Welcomes Call Of EU Council Of Ministers For Action On Alzheimer's Disease

Main Category: Alzheimer's / Dementia
Article Date: 01 Oct 2008 - 11:00 PDT

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Alzheimer's disease has been acknowledged as a European priority by the Council of the European Union. At its meeting of 26 September, the Competitiveness Council adopted conclusions on a "common commitment by the Member States to combat neurodegenerative diseases, particularly Alzheimer's".

In its conclusions, the Council recognises that:

1. Neurodegenerative diseases, and, in particular Alzheimer's disease, pose challenges and that the "stakes are significant both in terms of human suffering and the social and health burden, and on the grounds of the complexity of preventive or curative responses to such diseases"

2. There is a need to better understand, detect, prevent and combat the basic mechanisms which trigger neurodegenerative diseases, particularly Alzheimer's disease

3. Neurodegenerative diseases, particularly Alzheimer's disease, are now a major challenge for European societies and therefore a need to strengthen cooperation and coordination of research efforts, financial investment and mobility of researchers exists

4. Community initiatives exist. These should be continued with updates provided by the Commission

5. There is a need for the provision of a "real collaborative dynamic of all research stakeholders in Europe"

6. National research and development strategies for preventative action designed to delay the age of onset of neurodegenerative diseases are needed

7. A European initiative which brings together Member States, the Commission and other stakeholders in order to reduce neurodegenerative diseases is needed.

With regard to research and development, the Council invites Members States and the Commission to:

1. create a forum with key players in European research

2. consider existing national plans

3. explore proposals for a commitment by Member States to establish closer and stronger collaboration.

Finally, the Council invites the Commission to explore forms of consultation and cooperation at international level.

Jean Georges, Executive Director of Alzheimer Europe, welcomed this clear call of EU Ministers: "For the first time, the Council of Ministers has clearly acknowledged the importance of increased research in the field of Alzheimer's disease and the need for better collaboration between European countries in medical, biomedical and psychosocial research. We are delighted that our campaign to make dementia a European priority has been heard at the highest level and we offer our full collaboration in this important initiative."

Alzheimer Europe