Unlocking Rett Syndrome: Awareness Is the First Step

What does it take to turn a scientific discovery into meaningful impact for people living with brain disorders? In the opening episode of Brain Talks Season 6, we explore the three pillars at the heart of this year’s Brain Innovation Days: Science. Scale. Impact. with Tomás Ryan from the Federation of European Neuroscience Societies, Martien Kas from the European College of Neuropsychopharmacology and Frédéric Destrebecq from the European Brain Council, moderated by Sam Pauly. From the latest advances in neuroscience and the opportunities ahead, to the challenges of translating discoveries beyond the laboratory and creating the conditions for innovation to reach patients and society, the conversation sets the stage for Season 6 and explores what comes next for brain innovation.

What does it take to win the Brain Innovation Days 2025 Pitch Competition?In this episode of Brain Talks, Antoni Homs (OWL Lifesciences) shares the story behind his startup, the challenges startups face in the brain space, and why Brain Innovation Days is a key opportunity for emerging companies in the field.🎧 Listen now: “Jury Prize Winner of BIDs 2025: AI-Driven Neurovascular Models for Precision Drug Discovery”

In this special episode recorded live at Brain Innovation Days 2025, we take you inside one of the event’s highlights: the startup pitch competition. Four finalists step onto the stage to present bold solutions tackling some of the biggest challenges in brain health, from accelerating drug discovery and improving neurological diagnostics to advancing epilepsy treatment and addressing chronic stress. Each startup brings a distinct approach, reflecting both the complexity of the brain and the urgency of innovation in this field. You’ll hear how OWL Life Sciences is working to transform preclinical drug development through AI-driven neurovascular models, while neuroClues is bringing eye-tracking biomarkers into the clinic to enable faster and more objective diagnoses. Avrio MedTech focuses on improving surgical outcomes for patients with drug-resistant epilepsy through advanced EEG analysis, and BrainPatch explores non-invasive neurostimulation to relieve stress and support mental wellbeing. Each pitch addresses a critical unmet need, but only one will take the prize. 🎧 Listen now and decide for yourself: who should win? 💬 Share your pick - we’ll reveal the winner in the upcoming episode. Note: This episode features edited versions of the pitches.

Myasthenia Gravis is a rare, chronic autoimmune disease that disrupts lives, yet it remains largely invisible in healthcare systems and policy discussions across Europe.  In this episode of Brain Talks, host Sam Pauly speaks with patient advocate Lutgarde Allard (European Myasthenia Gravis Association), and neurologist Lorenzo Maggi (Fondazione IRCCS Istituto Neurologico Carlo Besta di Milano) about the real burden of MG, the gaps in diagnosis and care, and what a more holistic, patient-centred future could look like. From lived experience to clinical expertise, this conversation makes the case for change, and explores how evidence-informed policy can transform care for people living with rare neuromuscular diseases in Europe.

Recorded live at Brain Innovation Days 2025, this episode explores how environmental exposures shape brain health across our lifespan. Host Sam Pauly speaks with Geert Dom (European Psychiatric Association), Bart Depreitere (University Hospitals Leuven), and Silke Matura (Goethe University Hospital) about the profound impact of childhood adversity, nutrition, urban living, and lifestyle choices on brain development and disease risk. From ultra-processed foods accelerating cognitive decline to how thoughtful city design can protect mental health, this conversation reveals why we need systemic change in our environments to safeguard brain health for current and future generations.

Listen to the newest Brain Talks episode "Brain Health Matters: Unlocking Insights for Europe's Future" featuring insights from Isabel Klinnert, Director of Healthcare Global Government and Public Affairs at Merck KGaA Darmstadt, Germany.This episode tackles a critical question: How can Europe transform brain health from a policy aspiration into concrete action by 2030?In this episode, host Frederic Destrebecq, EBC Executive Director, explores:🔹 The economic imperative: Why untreated brain conditions threaten Europe's productivity, social systems, and economic growth – and why getting brain health policies right is essential for European competitiveness.🔹 The innovation challenge: How patient experience data and non-clinical outcomes can drive better innovation for brain health, and why rare neurological diseases like myasthenia gravis serve as critical test cases for healthcare system improvements.🔹 The AI and digital opportunity: How artificial intelligence and the European Health Data Space can accelerate early detection, enable smarter clinical trials, and unlock cross-border data sharing – if implemented with the right safeguards and clarity.🔹 The 2030 vision: Why Europe needs a comprehensive brain health plan (not just disease-specific strategies) and how upcoming frameworks like the Biotech Act and European Brain Partnership can support innovation and patient outcomes.With key legislative milestones achieved in 2025 and transformative opportunities ahead, now is the moment to prioritise brain health alongside cancer and cardiovascular plans – ensuring that advocacy, innovation and collaboration drive meaningful change.

Recorded live at Brain Innovation Days 2025, this vox pop brings together diverse voices from across the brain health landscape. Interviewees discuss current challenges, emerging innovations, policy needs, and what Europe must do to lead globally in brain ecosystem. Thoughtful, candid, and forward-looking, these conversations highlight the momentum behind a fast-growing movement for better brain health.

We're excited to share a special edition of our BrainTalk podcast – this time as a vidcast from within the European Parliament! Moderated by Frédéric Destrebecq, EBC Executive Director, MEP Tomáš Zdechovský (EPP, Czech Republic) and Suzanne Dickson, President of the European Brain Council, sit together to discuss the future of brain health research, innovation, and the urgent need for systemic change.Key themes discussed: Breaking down silos – The urgent need to connect fragmented brain research efforts across the EU's 27 countries and create strategic research hubs of excellenceBeyond physical health – Why social rehabilitation and reintegration are crucial for people living with brain disorders, and how this connects to brain capital and economic productivityCurrent challenges – From threats to research to administrative burdens that limit scientific creativity, and the critical need for long-term strategic planningBringing the community together – The importance of bringing together neurologists, mental health experts, neuroscientists and people with lived experienceAs MEP Zdechovský powerfully shared: "It's not about how much money you have or how high your social status, but how you live your life, how your brain is functioning, and how you can participate in society." This conversation comes at a crucial time as our community works on a Coordination Plan for brain health.

Listen to the newest Brain Talks episode on rethinking the way we look at disease burden, featuring perspectives from patients, researchers, and policy experts on what it truly means to live with generalised Myasthenia Gravis (gMG).This episode tackles a critical question: Are we truly capturing what rare brain diseases cost patients, families and society?In this episode, host Sam Pauly explores:🔹 The patient reality: Christina Ramirez shares her lived experience of gMG and its profound daily impacts on patients and families.🔹 The research lens: Adrian Kielhorn presents findings from the gMG 360 study – revealing, for instance, that 2/3 of the disease's economic impact falls on patients and caregivers – a burden largely invisible to traditional healthcare assessments.🔹 The policy perspective: Vinciane Quoidbach from the European Brain Council discusses the "Rethinking Myasthenia Gravis" project and how adaptive pathways, real-world evidence and patient-experienced data can transform care for rare brain diseases. With innovative therapies emerging and policy frameworks evolving, now is the moment to redesign care pathways that reduce burden, accelerate access and ensure no gMG patient is left behind.

October is Rett Syndrome Awareness Month, and we are proud to share a special episode of Brain Talks dedicated to raising visibility of this rare neurodevelopmental disorder. In this episode, Tom Pulles from Acadia Pharmaceuticals discusses research and advocacy, Professor Maria Mazurkiewicz-Bełdzińska explains the challenges of diagnosis and new treatment advances, and Pedro Rocha, Treasurer of Rett Syndrome Europe, shares a powerful perspective from the patient community. Together, their voices show why awareness, advocacy, and innovation are so vital for patients and families living with Rett syndrome.