Brussels, 15/04/2010 (Agence Europe) - Leading researchers from across Europe gathered in Stockholm on Thursday 15 April to agree a European-wide research strategy to tackle neurodegenerative diseases such as Alzheimer's and Parkinson's diseases. This is the first of the new European Union (EU) Joint Programming Initiatives designed to address “grand challenges” which cannot be tackled effectively and efficiently by any one member state acting alone. “Thanks to this Joint Programme, the best European medical researchers will be working together and pooling resources to help the millions of people who suffer from Alzheimer's and other neurodegenerative diseases,” said European Research Commissioner Máire Geoghegan-Quinn. The ultimate goal of the Joint Programming Initiative on combating Neurodegenerative Diseases (JPND), in particular Alzheimer's Disease, is to accelerate progress in understanding the causes of these debilitating conditions, leading to early diagnosis, the development of new treatments and prevention and the provision of more effective medical and social care to improve the quality of life for patients and care givers. (B.C./transl.rt)