Brain Talks

Tune in to the new podcast episode to hear Sam Pauly talk with two expert guests Professor Asgeir Jakola, Director of the European Association of Neurosurgical Societies (EANS) Research Fund & Dr Victor Staartjes, a neurosurgery resident at the University Hospital Zurich. They look at how the EANS Research Fund facilitates neurosurgical research across Europe.

In today's Brain Talk, we’ll be looking at the role technology currently plays in neurosurgery. We are joined by Dr Pieter Kubben, a neurosurgeon at Maastricht University Medical Center and the founder of the Neuromind App and Dr. Marike Broekman, a neurosurgeon in the Department of Neurosurgery at Leiden University Medical Center. She is the first female board member of the European Association o...

We're back from our summer break and our host, Sam Pauly, is delighted to be joined today by Dr Orla Galvin, Executive Director of the European Federation of Neurological Associations (EFNA) to discuss the important role patients play in guiding policy and leading advocacy in the brain space, particularly as the "experts" in their own brain conditions. A common phrase in the community always is, "...

We're taking a short summer break! We leave you with a short interview with the Executive Director of the European Brain Council, Frédéric Destrebecq, led by host Sam Pauly. Sam exchanges with Fred on the history and mission behind the birth of the Brain Innovation Days and what to expect at the 2nd in-person event this coming 11-12 October 2022 in Brussels, Belgium. Take a look at the programme n...

Today we turn the spotlight to neuroscience in Africa and discuss with leading researchers from the region how the African neuroscience community has come together to identify challenges and opportunities in the region, explore possible solutions, and discover unique and important avenues for research. We are delighted to welcome Dr Mahmoud Bukar Maina, Research Fellow in Neuroscience at the Unive...

Today our host Sam Pauly speaks with a recent recipient of the Federation of European Neuroscience Societies (FENS) European Journal of Neuroscience (EJN) Young Investigator Prize, awarded to early-career researchers in recognition of their outstanding scientific contributions to any area of neuroscience. We are delighted to welcome Dr Nicolas Renier — who received the prize for his work in mappin...

We know that the COVID-19 pandemic has had repercussions far and wide, but what impact has it had on Mental Health Services and what work can be done to address some of those needs? That’s exactly what the Global Alliance of Mental Illness Advocacy Networks-Europe (GAMIAN-Europe) has been researching through a focused survey. The report has just been released and here to tell us more about the fin...

Today we’ll be looking at pioneering work that was recently recognised by the European Paediatric Neurology Society (EPNS) and awarded an EPNS Research Prize. Beta-propeller protein-associated neurodegeneration, commonly known as BPAN, is a rare, progressive and life-limiting neurological disorder beginning in infancy or early childhood. Dr Apostolos Papandreou, from University College London, is...

The new season of Brain Talks focuses on Brain in the Life Course, kicking off with a focus on pediatric neurology. We are joined by guest Dr David Gómez-Andrés, a specialist in Child Neurology at the University Hospital of Vall d’Hebron in Barcelona and part of the European Paediatric Neurology Society (EPNS), a society for physicians with a research or clinical interest in Paediatric Neurology....

The second edition of the Brain Innovation Days will take place on 11-12 October 2022. But you don't have to wait! Follow us during the second season of the Brain Talks where we will invite young researchers to talk about their projects and the future of brain research. More info on braininnovationdays.eu

In today's Brain Talk, we are joined by Professor Juan Lerma, Editor-in-Chief of Neuroscience and Professor at the Alicante Neuroscience Insitute. We discuss a number of exciting, current topics within neuroscience, including brain computer interfaces, brain implant devices and the example of the mainstream news of Elon Musk's Neuralink. Prof Lerma recently wrote a comment on the Neuralink announc...

In today’s Brain Talk we welcome back another speaker from our latest Brain Innovation Days Digital Session on 27 April, “Fast-Tracking Brain Innovation in Times of COVID-19” -- Dr Tomás Ryan, Assistant Professor of Neuroscience at the University at Trinity College Dublin and Chair of the FENS-Kavli Network of Excellence. During the last event, Tomás provided concluding remarks, sharing the perspe...

vCreate Neuro is an NHS Trusted secure video messaging service that helps patients, families and clinical teams stay connected throughout their care journey. Used in over 150 units globally, the vCreate service has so far helped support more than 20,000 families with separation anxiety, clinical diagnoses and care management. We discuss the aims and the importance of this platform with Prof Sameer...

We speak with Padraic Ward, Head of Roche Pharma International, this week on Brain Talks, exploring healthcare innovation in Europe and how we can ensure Europe keeps its edge in healthcare as we watch Europe falling behind the US and a strongly growing and committed China over the past several years. This erosion of leadership applies to innovation, investment, and equal access to healthcare inno...

There is a wide consensus that the COVID-19 pandemic not only affects physical health, but also mental health and well-being. The current pandemic is changing priorities for the general population, but it is also challenging the agenda of health professionals, including that of psychiatrists and other mental health professionals. Everywhere in the world, psychiatric clinics are modifying their pra...

Telemedicine is not a new invention but played a key role in the months of isolation during the pandemic. For many patients, it was the only way to continue their treatment and stay in touch with their doctors. The growth of telemedicine has been evident, but what will be left once people return to normal life? We discuss this with Professor Paul Boon, President Elect of the European Academy of Ne...

More and more studies are showing that COVID-19 also has long-term effects on the brain. With Matilde Leonardi, Director of the Italian WHO-Collaborating Centre Research Branch "IRCCS Istituto Neurologico C. Besta", we take a look at the main points of the story that led researchers to identify the connections between the pandemic and its effects on the brain. The discussion elaborates on the talk...

The first-ever Brain Innovation Days Pitch Competition took place during the 2nd digital session held on 26 January 2021. The audience was invited to vote on a winner for Brain Innovation Public Award for Best Pitch and this was rewarded to icompanion after over 1000 votes. icompanion is a free app and web platform that helps people living with multiple sclerosis monitoring their condition. The ma...

During the digital event on 26 January 2021, Brain Innovation Days organised a pitch competition. PIPRA won the 1st Brain Innovation Jury Award for Best Pitch and today they tell us more about their work and their goals. PIPRA's mission is to leverage cutting-edge AI and big data to provide clinicians with a reliable pre-op tool to assess patients’ risk of presenting a Post-Operative Delirium (POD...

NeuroTech Europe is a newly born project that would promote the interest of association members towards EU institutions (EU Commission, DG Research & Innovation, EU parliament) and the permanent representations of key EU member states. It aims to shape the research agenda, specifically increasing the number of calls related to neurotechnologies. In this conversation, Sebastian Haesler, creator of...

Today the Brain Talks go back to basics: what is the driving force behind the need and creation of the Brain Innovation Days? At some point of their life, one in three Europeans will live with a brain disease – neurological and mental alike. As a result, the estimations are that brain disorders account for up to 45% of total healthcare budgets. This burden is expected to grow. We speak with Prof....

The European Medicines Agency (EMA) is a decentralised agency of the European Union (EU) responsible for the scientific evaluation, supervision and safety monitoring of medicines in the EU. The European Medicines Agency plays an important role in the innovation and availability of medicines for human and veterinary use through its support to research activities within the European Union (EU) and b...

Helpilepsy enables better patient outcomes and improves care efficiency by registering seizures, side effects and medication online. Ludovic Ampe, Co-Founder & Strategic Growth Lead, explains the advantages that both patients and neurologists can gain from it.

Brain+ provides digital therapeutics for brain rehabilitation and remediation, specifically for the recovery of impaired cognitive functions due to injury or disease - combining neuro-games and digital behavioural therapy into powerful treatment solutions. It’s award winning Brain+ apps are being clinically tested in Parkinson’s disease, Major depressive disorder and Traumatic brain injury patient...

Pierre Meulien, Executive Director of the Innovative Medicines Initiative (IMI) was one of the panelists at the Digital Launch of the Brain Innovation Days on 13 October 2020. With questions coming in from the audience and an exciting line-up of speakers, time flew by and the riveting discussion could have lasted hours! Join us now for an Overtime discussion with Pierre to explore the details and...