Prioritizing Brain Health in Youth: Bringing Neuroscience to Society and Informing Policy, Lessons Learnt from the European Brain Council Expert Meeting Held at the Federation of European Neuroscience Societies Forum 2024

Abstract

Good brain health plays a significant role in an individual's well-being and profoundly impacts the collective economy and society. Brain development does not stop at birth, and some aspects continue throughout childhood and adolescence, allowing the full development of cognitive functions. Different determinants related to physical health, healthy environments, safety and security, life-long learning and social connection as well as access to quality services influence the way our brains develop, adapt and respond to stress and adversity. Ongoing progress in neurobiology and cognitive neuroscience allows the design of better prevention and intervention strategies to help avoid brain deficits and/or limit their impact and maintain brain health. The European Brain Council (EBC) convened an expert meeting during the Federation of European Neuroscience Societies (FENS) Forum 2024 to address youth brain health challenges. In recent years, the importance of brain health has garnered significant attention across scientific, medical and policy-making communities. Although much focus has traditionally been on neurodegenerative conditions affecting the elderly, a paradigm shift towards prioritizing brain health in youth is both timely and necessary. This shift can profoundly impact individual lives and society, necessitating an interdisciplinary approach that brings neuroscience to the forefront of public health and informs evidence-based policy. The topic is of utmost importance as EBC launched this year a new campaign on No Health Without Brain Health rallying support with its member organizations and the wider brain community for the increased prioritization of brain health on EU health and research agendas.