MEPs in Brussels have
put pressure on European governments this week to
coordinate international research into Alzheimer’s
and Parkinson’s disease, writes Jessie Magee.
North West MEP Marian Harkin was among those to back
an EU report calling on member states to come up
with a joint action plan on neurodegenerative
diseases.
‘There’s no point in doubling up on Alzheimers
research in different countries - it makes sense to
have free trade not just in goods and services, but
also in ideas and scientific knowledge,’ said the
Independent MEP.
At present, 85 per cent of European public spending
on Alzheimer’s research goes on national projects,
with little international coordination of projects.
More than 44,000 people in Ireland suffer from
Alzheimers, a figure that is expected to double by
2020 because of our aging population. Although no
cure exists for Alzheimers or other forms of
dementia, experts agree that early diagnosis is
critical to treatment and management of the disease.
EU Health Ministers are due to meet in early
December to discuss the plan for a joint research
strategy on Alzheimers. |
