On 24 February, the European Parliament’s SANT Committee held a hearing on the subject “Brain Health: Policy challenges and opportunities to manage neurological diseases” examining developments and the current state of affairs in relation to neurological conditions in Europe.
The session opened with a presentation on “Strengthening Brain health: Policy Recommendations to Tackle the Rising Burden of Neurological Diseases” by Elly Hol, Vice-Dean of Research of the University Medical Centre Utrecht and Professor of “Glia biology of brain diseases” at Utrecht University.
In advance of the session, Professor Hol had prepared a briefing for the Committee on the subject, highlighting that neurological diseases are one of Europe’s most urgent and rapidly expanding health, social and economic challenges, specifically noting that as the population ages, neurodegenerative conditions, such as dementia (including Alzheimer’s disease), Parkinson’s disease and ALS, will rise sharply, increasing pressure on healthcare systems, social support structures and informal caregivers.
During the session, she also noted that the economic cost of neurological disorders in Europe was estimated at EUR 368 billion per year in 2019, with more than half of the costs attributable to informal care, reflecting the significant responsibilities placed on families and communities.
Both in the session and in the briefing, Professor Hol cited figures from Alzheimer Europe’s “The Prevalence of Dementia in Europe 2025” report, showing that the number of people living with dementia in the EU27 will grow from 9.1 million in 2025 to 14.3 million by 2050. She further noted that major inequalities persist across Member States in access to diagnosis, specialist care, innovation and caregiver support.
It was explained that early detection is often delayed due to uneven availability of biomarkers and diagnostic tools, combined with limited public awareness. Furthermore, Professor Hol outlined how informal caregivers face fragmented support systems, increasing social and workforce pressures.
The key ask emerging from the session was the development of an ambitious, coordinated European health plan dedicated to neurological health, linking elements including prevention, early diagnosis, research and innovation, in order to enable effective therapies, care and social supports.
Additional presentations were given by:
Mirosław Zabek, Professor, Head of the Neurosurgery Clinic at Mazowiecki Bródnowski Hospital in Warsaw
Ana Verdelho, Professor, Associate Professor of Neurology at the School of Medicine, University of Lisbon
Orla Galvin, Executive Director, European Federation of Neurological Associations (EFNA)
Sameer Zuberi, Vice-Chair of the European Brain Council.
The background briefing is available at:
https://www.europarl.europa.eu/RegData/etudes/BRIE/2026/780418/ECTI_BRI(2026)780418_EN.pdf
Further information on the hearing is available at: https://www.europarl.europa.eu/committees/en/brain-health-policy-challenges-and-oppor/product-details/20260216CAN76410
