Affiliated Societies

EDAB

The European Dana Alliance for the Brain (EDAB) was launched in 1997 from a similar organisation in the USA, the Dana Alliance for Brain Initiatives. Supported by the Dana Foundation, it consists of many of Europe's leading brain scientists whose mission is to raise the public profile of brain research. It seeks to make information accessible and understandable to all.

The BNA shares a commitment to this goal and holds regular events in association with EDAB, most notably it participates in 'Brain Awareness Week, hosted by EDAB every March. Click here for further information on EDAB and 'Brain Awareness Week'.

FENS

The Federation of European Neurosciences Societies (FENS) first emerged in 1997/1998 to replace the European Neuroscience Association as the major protagonist for neuroscience teaching and research in Europe. All the European Neuroscience Societies, including the BNA, are constituent members, and meet together biennially at the hugely successful FENS meetings. Membership of FENS brings many benefits to BNA members, especially reduced registration fees to the FENS meetings and free online access to European Journal of Neuroscience. Click here for further information on FENS and its activities.

IBRO

The International Brain Research Organisation (IBRO) offers worldwide support for neuroscience research and strives to disseminate its findings as broadly as possible. The BNA has been an active member of IBRO for many years and seeks to ensure reciprocal benefits for the BNA and all its members.     Further information can be obtained by clicking here.

Royal Society

Increasing understanding of the brain and associated advances in technologies to study it will enable improved treatment of neurodegenerative diseases and mental illnesses. These advances will also increase our insights into normal human behaviour and mental wellbeing, and give the possibility of other enhancement, manipulation, and even degradation of brain function.  The Brain Waves project explores the potential and the limitations of neuroscience insights for policymaking, as well as the benefits and the risks posed by applications of neuroscience and neurotechnologies.  Further information can be obtained by clicking here.

BRAIN UK                                                                                     

BRAIN UK is an initiative funded by the Medical Research Council and supported by the British Neuropathological Society, which has collected a centralised database of neuropathology archives. Thanks to the high level of co-operation of neuropathologists throughout the UK the database includes in excess of 60,000 cases from a wide range of neurological disorders, most of the tissue is in a formalin-fixed, paraffin-embedded form, but some frozen material is included.  Any researcher wishing to access tissue can approach us either informally to confirm that appropriate material exists for the study, or by a formal application using the application form on the website.  BRAIN UK has a rapid application assessment process and it is anticipated that an approval decision will be made on the majority of applications within a 2 week period.  Once accepted by BRAIN UK, applicants for most studies (except those having genetic implications) will automatically be covered by the blanket ethical approval that BRAIN UKhas received.  However, applicants will need to obtain local sponsorship from their host institution and register their study with R&D departments with responsibility for those NHS Trusts able to provide tissue. Click here for further information.