In December 2011, the European Science Foundation (ESF) brought together experts from a wide range of disciplines to discuss the issues that will influence the development of a healthier, more brain-aware European society. This perspective summarizes the main outcomes of that discussion and highlights important considerations to support improved mental health in Europe, including:
The development of integrated neuropsychotherapeutic approaches to the treatment of psychiatric disorders. The development of more valid disease models for research into psychiatric disorders. An improved understanding of the relationship between biology and environment, particularly in relation to developmental plasticity and emerging pathology. More comparative studies to explore how scientific concepts relating to the human brain are received and understood in different sociocultural contexts. Research into the legal and ethical implications of recent developments in the brain sciences, including behavioral screening and manipulation, and emerging neurotechnologies.
The broad geographical spread of the consulted experts across the whole of Europe, along with the wide range of disciplines they represent, gives these conclusions a strong scientific and pan-European endorsement. The next step will be to look closely into these five selected topics, in terms of research strategy, science policy, societal implications, and legal and ethical frameworks.