BRAINTEASER’s liaison activities are fostering synergies in brain research to maximise impact, with a particular focus on leveraging AI to improve the lives of people living with neurological conditions like Multiple Sclerosis (MS) and Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis (ALS). The BRAINTEASER impact and exploitation workshop, held during the 2024 Brain Innovation Days (BIDays), showcased the project’s clinical app and highlighted AI-driven excellence in translating research into meaningful healthcare solutions.
A keynote on EU brain health research
The event began with an inspiring keynote by Claudia Prettner, project advisor and BRAINTEASER project officer at the European Health and Digital Executive Agency (HaDEA). Prettner provided an overview of HaDEA’s health research projects, emphasising the role of EU research and innovation in advancing brain health. She stressed the importance of evidence-based policymaking to address the growing challenges in brain health, along with the need for prevention strategies and improved care for brain disorders.
Highlighting BRAINTEASER’s achievements and challenges
Barbara Di Camillo, BRAINTEASER scientific coordinator, presented the project’s most significant results while addressing key challenges, including data accuracy, interoperability with clinical systems, standardisation of measurements, and regulatory hurdles. With the project nearing its conclusion, discussions on democratising BRAINTEASER’s solutions to ensure broader accessibility were particularly pertinent.
Collaborative pathways from research to innovation
Moderated by Gianmaria Silvello, the first session brought together thought leaders, including Elisabetta Vaudano (Innovative Health Initiative), Mats Sundgren (i~HD), and Liesbet Geris (Avicenna Alliance), to explore the collaboration needed to accelerate research translation. The panel highlighted the vital role of public-private partnerships in bringing academia, industry, and end-users together to address challenges such as insufficient funding, bureaucracy, and fragmented healthcare systems.
Insights on patient-centred care
In the second session, moderated by Natalia Allegretti, perspectives from patients, clinicians, and industry representatives shed light on the potential of innovative tools to support remote, value-based care. Panellists, including Elisabeth Kasilingam (European Multiple Sclerosis Platform), Umberto Manera (BRAINTEASER clinical partner), and Leon Brudy (Garmin Health), underscored the importance of co-design with patients, enabling user-friendly solutions and fostering mutual learning. They also discussed obstacles such as resource allocation and market fragmentation, which complicate the commercialisation of research.
Advancing digital tools for MS and ALS care
Session three, moderated by Vincenzo Carbone, introduced the BRAINTEASER clinical app for MS and ALS. Clinical partners, including Umberto Manera and Carlos de Miguel Sánchez, explained how the app supports data collection for over 300 patients, enabling the input of clinical data, symptom reporting, and monitoring. The session also featured insights from the AI-Mind project, demonstrating how AI-driven tools are improving clinical decision-making and dementia prediction.
Shaping exploitation strategies
The final session, led by Vincenzo Carbone, outlined the outcomes of a series of focus group meetings designed to refine the project’s go-to-market strategy. Discussions emphasised the involvement of key stakeholders, explainability of AI tools, scalability across diverse healthcare systems, and compliance with the EU AI Act. Panellists also highlighted the importance of data reliability and compatibility in meeting regulatory requirements for digital medical products.
A path forward
The BRAINTEASER impact and exploitation workshop underscored the transformative potential of AI in brain health. By fostering collaboration across disciplines and addressing key challenges, the project is paving the way for innovative, patient-centred solutions to advance the care of neurological conditions across Europe.
Want to learn more? Check out the full session recording.
