David Nutt elected president of the European Brain Council

David Nutt, the Edmond J. Safra Chair of Neuropsychopharmacology at Imperial College London, has been elected president of the European Brain Council.

Disorders of the brain and mind affect tens of millions of patients each year in Europe, with a cost to the European economy of nearly 800 million euros per year. This makes disorders of the brain more costly than diabetes, cancer and cardiovascular disease combined.

The European Brain Council is the organisation that represents brain researchers, neurologists and neurosurgeons, psychiatry and treatment providers including the pharmaceutical industry, and patient groups in Europe. As the sole provider of input and knowledge of brain disorders to the European Commission and parliament, it plays a critical role in defending European research spending on the brain and in ensuring that the treatments of brain disorders get the investment they need.

“I’m delighted and honoured to have been elected to this important role,” said Professor Nutt. “I relish the challenge of representing the diverse set of needs of the different member groups to decision-makers in Europe. I hope to be able to enhance research and treatment spending in the sector as well as raising the profile of brain disorders in the public’s awareness.”