EN Official Journal of the European Union CE 271/7

Thursday 12 November 2009

Joint Programming of research to combat neurodegenerative diseases

P7_TA(2009)0065

European Parliament resolution of 12 November 2009 on Joint Programming of research to combat neurodegenerative diseases, in particular Alzheimer's disease

2010/C 271 E/03

The European Parliament,

having regard to the World Alzheimer Report 2009 by Alzheimer's Disease International, issued on the occasion of World Alzheimer's Day on 21 September 2009,

having regard to the Commission proposal of 22 July 2009 for a Council Recommendation on measures to combat neurodegenerative diseases, in particular Alzheimer's, through joint programming of research activities (COM(2009)0379),

having regard to Rules 115(5) and 110(2) of its Rules of Procedure,

A. whereas neurodegenerative diseases such as Alzheimer's and Parkinson's disease are major contributors to long-term disability, affecting more than seven million citizens of the European Union, a number that will probably double in the coming decades as a result of the ageing of the population,

B. whereas no cures are currently available for neurodegenerative diseases and knowledge about prevention, treatment, and identification of risk factors is very limited,

C. whereas the cost of dementia disorders in the EU-25 in 2005 was estimated at EUR 130 billion, or an average of approximately EUR 21 000 per year per person affected by dementia; whereas that average includes direct costs and costs incurred as a result of informal care,

D. whereas Alzheimer's and Parkinson's disease and related forms of dementia are being studied from multiple perspectives and in different areas of research, which may contribute to a further fragmentation of research activities,

E. whereas most of the research effort in the field of neurodegenerative diseases is carried out by Member States, with a relatively low level of transnational coordination, leading to fragmentation and limited sharing of knowledge and best practices among Member States,

1. Welcomes the proposed pilot project for joint programming of research activities in the field of neurodegenerative diseases; believes that joint programming could be highly valuable in reducing fragmentation of the research effort, leading as it would to a pooling of a critical mass of skills, knowledge and financial resources;

2. Considers neurodegenerative diseases such as Alzheimer's and Parkinson's disease to be one of the European Union's greatest challenges in mental health and takes the view that the fight against Alzheimer's and Parkinson's disease must therefore respond to a dual challenge: providing care for an increasing number of patients on a day-to-day basis and securing more resources so that the number of patients steadily decreases in the future; therefore supports the adoption of the proposed Council Recommendation;

3. Underlines the need to step up efforts urgently to address the effects of neurodegenerative diseases, in particular Alzheimer's and Parkinson's disease, at a social and public-health level, in the context of an ageing European population and with a view to ensuring the future sustainability of national health systems;

4. Encourages all the Member States to engage actively in the definition, development and implementation of a common research agenda in the field of neurodegenerative diseases;

5. Calls on the Member States to improve epidemiological data on Alzheimer's, Parkinson's disease and other forms of dementia, in particular in asymptomatic phases and before the onset of incapacity;

6. Points to the importance of a multidisciplinary approach to research in this field, encompassing diagnosis, treatment, prevention, and social research into the welfare of patients and their families and carers; believes that early diagnostic tests, research into risk factors (such as the environment) and criteria for early diagnosis are crucial; this being the case, sees clear added value in conducting large-scale epidemiological and clinical studies in transnational collaboration;

7. Believes that research programmes should concentrate, as a priority, on prevention, biomarkers (including susceptibility genetics), methods of diagnostic imaging, early diagnosis methods based on a multidisciplinary approach, standardisation of criteria and diagnostic tools and the creation of broad-based databases that can be used for population studies, treatment strategies and clinical studies of new chemical and biological substances, vaccines and technologies;

8. Points to the importance of research into the connection between the ageing process and dementia and between dementia and depression in the elderly; encourages Member States, furthermore, to promote research programmes that give great importance to patient choice and perspective;

9. Encourages the Council to build on existing structures when setting up the pilot project for joint programming of research activities, avoiding the creation of new bureaucratic structures, and to collaborate where possible with industry in order to benefit from all available resources and experience, while ensuring independence and autonomy;

10. Encourages the Commission and the Council to include the problems of dementia in all existing und upcoming European Union initiatives related to disease prevention, particularly in connection with early diagnosis, cardiovascular health and physical activity;

11. Considers it important that the Commission should adopt a recommendation inviting Member States to inform the public about lifestyle changes that can delay and prevent the onset of neurodegenerative diseases, in particular Alzheimer's and Parkinson's disease, and to promote ‘brain-healthy lifestyles’;

12. Suggests that the Council and the Commission consider launching a European Year of the Brain in order to raise awareness of age-related neurodegenerative diseases and measures to prevent them;

13. Calls on the Council to involve representatives of patient and carer organisations and healthcare providers appropriately in the pilot project for joint programming of research activities;

14. Calls on the Council to inform Parliament of the progress and results relating to the pilot project;

15. Calls on the Commission to involve Parliament properly in any decision to support the pilot project and any future joint programming initiative in the field of research with funding from the Seventh Framework Programme for Research and Development (FP7);

16. Believes that Article 182(5) of the Treaty on the Functioning of the European Union, as inserted by the Treaty of Lisbon, which establishes measures necessary for the implementation of the European research area, could provide a more appropriate legal basis for future joint programming initiatives in the field of research; calls on the Commission to consider seriously using Article 182(5) as a legal basis for all future proposals for joint programming of research activities;