EN Official Journal of the European Union CE 88/254

(2004/C 88 E/0259)

WRITTEN QUESTION E-0943/04

by Cristiana Muscardini (UEN) to the Commission

(26 March 2004)

Subject: Research programme and multiple sclerosis

The causes of multiple sclerosis are still largely unknown, although it is thought that the disease stems from a combination of genetic, environmental and immunological factors. Correlating those various factors could be a way of studying the causes of the disease, 400 000 cases of which have (according to the European Multiple Sclerosis Platform) been diagnosed in the EU.

In view of the fact that (as stated in Parliament's resolution A5-0451/2003 – P5_TA(2003) 0601 of 18 December 2003) ‘it is essential to enhance the financial resources available for research into multiple sclerosis within the European Union and to improve the complementarity of research projects given the combination of factors that are said to trigger the disease’, does the Commission not consider:

1. that the next Research Framework Programme should include a specific reference in the field of neuro-degenerative pathologies to diseases of the brain and, in particular, to multiple sclerosis?

2. that such a commitment should be made a priority under the Seventh Framework Programme, since the Sixth Framework Programme failed to incorporate disability issues into Community policies and the amount of research being carried out in the EU into disability and diseases such as multiple sclerosis has been drastically cut back?

Answer given by Mr Busquin on behalf of the Commission

(28 April 2004)

The Commission would like to comment that basic and clinical research on brain diseases and disorders and in particular on neurodegenerative diseases, including multiple sclerosis (MS), are areas of major support in the Sixth Framework Programme (FP6). Specifically, the first two out of four Calls foreseen for the sub-priorities ‘Major diseases’ and ‘Application of knowledge and technologies of genomics and biotechnology for health’ within Priority 1 ‘Life sciences, genomics and biotechnology for health’ already offered several topics for Integrated Projects (IP) or Networks of Excellence (NOE) on neurodegenerative brain diseases and novel therapies (‘Role and mechanisms of protein aggregation in neurodegenerative diseases – IP’, ‘Molecular mechanisms of neuronal degeneration – NOE,’‘Stem cells and nervous system – NOE’, ‘Novel therapeutic substances for neurodegenerative diseases in CNS and PNS – IP’. The third Call for proposals, currently under discussion, may also include topics highly relevant for MS.

In addition, the Commission (Directorate General Health and Consumer Protection) is exploring within the frame of its 2004 Call for proposals in the Public Health Programme the possibility of receiving proposals for a European study about the situation of neurodegenerative diseases, including MS, to assess the epidemiological and health systems impact of those diseases. A Call for Tender in 2005 for this subject could be launched if no proposal is received in 2004.

Further information on Calls, Programmes and selected projects can be found at the following web sites:

— http://fp6.cordis.lu/fp6/home.cfm

— http://europa.eu.int/comm/research/fp6/firstcallresult_en.html

— http://europa.eu.int/comm/health/ph_programme/howtoapply/how_to_apply_en.htm

The Commission considers these FP6 activities as a significant contribution to health research directed towards a better understanding and improved treatment of neurodegenerative diseases such as MS. With regard to the Seventh FP, the Commission is currently in the process of defining the main pillars on which this programme will be built in the context of its communication on the financial perspectives 2006-2013. For the discussions to follow on the content of FP7, the Commission will duly take into consideration relevant aspects of health research arising from FP6 as well as major public health issues.