The European Commission announced that some €150 million of funding will be allocated to 20 new international brain research projects. This announcement is made at the same time as the 'European Month of the Brain' initiative is launched. This initiative has as main aim to highlight European research and innovation in the area of neuroscience, cognition and related areas through over 50 events across Europe this May.

The European Commission will allocate some €150 million of funding for 20 new international brain research projects. The 20 projects which are shortlisted for EU funding are expected to deliver new insights and innovations in key areas such as traumatic brain injury, mental disorders, pain, epilepsy and paediatric conduct disorders. In October 2011, a European research helped to discover a connection between healthy ageing and neurodegenerative disorders.

The announcement is made in the framework of the 'European Month of the Brain' initiative. This initiative intends to showcase the latest achievements in the field, but also to urge a more decisive effort to combat brain diseases. The 'European Month of the Brain' (#brainmonth) will highlight European research and innovation in the area of neuroscience, cognition and related areas through over 50 events across Europe this May.

According to the Commission, some 165 million Europeans are likely to experience some form of brain related diseases during their life. Treating those affected is already costing us €1.5 million every minute and this burden on our healthcare systems is likely to rise as our population ages. The Commission assures that brain research could help alleviate the suffering of millions of patients and those that care for them. Unlocking the secrets of how the brain works could also open up a whole new universe of services and products for economies.