Brussels, 22/07/2009 (Agence Europe) - As a subsequent part of the conclusions adopted by the Council of Ministers last December, the Commission has just adopted a communication on neurodegenerative diseases and Alzheimer's disease. The result of collaborative work between the services of Health Commissioner Androulla Vassiliou and Commissioner for Research, Janez Potocnik, this text aims to create more coherent research into these diseases and whose impact is increasing due to the ageing European population. In parallel, this initiative also aims to ensure efficient prevention, diagnosis, treatment and care for those affected by these conditions.
The objective of this European initiative is to tackle the main problems posed by Alzheimer's disease and dementias in four key areas: acting early to diagnose dementia and to reduce the risk of dementia in the first place; improving research coordination between EU countries; sharing of best practice and providing a forum to reflect on rights, autonomy and dignity of patients.
In the Council's conclusions, member states identified Alzheimer's disease and related disorders as an area where the first Joint Programming of research activities should be launched. Joint Programming addresses EU countries willing to engage in the development of a common Strategic Research Agenda which will allow their participation on a variable geometry basis. 18 member states (Belgium, Czech Republic, Germany, Denmark, Spain, Finland, France, Greece, Ireland, Italy, Luxembourg, Netherlands, Poland, Portugal, Romania, Sweden, Slovakia and the United Kingdom) and two third countries (Switzerland and Turkey) have already shown their willingness to pool resources and to conduct research in an area where a common initiative would offer major added value compared with the current, fragmented research efforts in Europe. The first management committee meeting took place on 18 June. There are also plans to set up a scientific committee and a secretariat. This pilot Joint Programming initiative should pave the way for other Joint Programming initiatives in the future. The Commission funds research projects on Alzheimer's and ND diseases through the 7th Research Framework Programme (RFP). So far, 24 research projects into these conditions have been developed with an envelope of €94 million under the 7th RFP (2007-13). Other calls for proposals will take place at a later date as part of the framework programme.
There are currently over seven million people with Alzheimer's disease and related disorders in the Union and it is predicted that this number will double in the next 20 years. Due to the increasing lifespan and the decreasing ratio of working to retired populations, the social and economic burden of neurodegenerative diseases is growing. In 2005, the total direct and informal care costs of Alzheimer's disease and other dementias were estimated at €130billion in the EU27 (€21 000 per patient); 56% of these costs was informal care. The most common forms of dementia in the European Union are Alzheimer's disease (about 70% of cases), and vascular dementia (less than 30%).
The Commission Communication on a European Initiative on Alzheimer's disease and other dementias (http: //ec.europa.eu/health/ph_information/dissemination/diseases/alzheimer_en.htm). (O.J. trans/rh)