A project of the King Baudouin Foundation

A prospective project about the impact of brain sciences on a

society with an ageing population,up to 2025

• Part of the initiative‘Mijn Bijzonder Brein’/‘Mes Neurones et moi’:a portfolio of projects aimed at improving the link between Brain Science and society.

• Grey matters: a prospective exercise,involving top experts, decision-makersand stakeholders at Belgian level.

Health Project of the King Baudouin Foundation

To sensitise key actors - involved in ageing-related projections and policies - to the possible impacts of brain science developments;

To foster the dialogue between experts, stakeholders and decision-makers on this topic;

To stimulate those responsible to integratethese reflections in their projections and actions.

Objectives

Project team

Alain Wouters (Project leader - methodology)

Peter Raeymaekers (Scientific adviser - writer)Karin Rondia (Scientific adviser - writer)Myriam Van Espen (Stakeholders/Decision-makers)

Brigitte Duvieusart (Project leader - coordination KBF)Greet Massart (Assistant KBF)

A well documented & time-tested approachto conduct anticipative strategic reflectionenabling informed decisions & actions by various actors.

Characteristics:

• Outside-in logic

• Multi-perspective approach

• Uncertainties explicit

• Participative process (& common language)

• Shared Context for ‘robust’ options

Method: - scenario thinking

Medical applications:

• Diagnosis: New technologies, ‘objective’ diagnosis, early diagnosis …

•Treatments: New medicines, cell therapy, deep brain stimulation, gene therapy, new revalidation patterns,intelligent environments …

Synthesis of the interviews

Prevention: • General action: - prevention of atherosclerosis, hypertension, diabetes,

smoking- nutritional measures: avoiding toxic substances and

bringing in the protective ones

• Specific action on the brain:- constitute a stock of neurons early in life- refrain loss of synapses through appropriate stimulation- higher education- physical exercise- prevention of depression and learn to cope with stress

Synthesis of the interviews

The broader picture: Three main factors which influence further innovations:

• financial resources (funding – both in the public private sector),

• man-power,

• inappropriate regulation and ethical concerns in the public.

Synthesis of the interviews

The broader picture: Role of the media:

• There are big expectations in the public about neurosciences. But much of it is hype and unappropriated hopes

• What is the image of the seniors carried by the general opinion?

One of a numerically important category of baby boomers, with high political and financial power.

But also…

Synthesis of the interviews

The broader picture: Role of the media: the image of ageing is mainly one of

deficiencies

• at the level of the society : “A big societal problem”

• at the level of the individual : loss of performance, productivity, creativity….

this negative image is taken for granted by seniors

there is discrimination against seniors (ageism)

solution seeking through medication

Synthesis of the interviews

The broader picture: • Biomedical logic : - Much investment in biomedical research- New medical treatments mainly symptomatic- Much investment in technological equipment in

hospitals (incentive logic)- Poor recognition of intellectual acts

Increase of costs

Less efforts directed towards other needs

Synthesis of the interviews

The broader picture: • Which other needs ?

- Social measures for today’s patients

- Scientific non-medical research

- Preventive measures at individual level

- Preventive measures at societal level

- Education

- Address the “end-of-life” question

Synthesis of the interviews

• Extent of potential dysfunction-related needs• Extent of expectations related needs• Societal framing of ageing• Underlying financial logic/choices• Individual and societal capacity to adapt to complexity• Availability of external compensating means to deal with deficiencies• Level of understanding of intrinsic mechanisms contributing to

successful ageing• Level of multidisciplinarity in neuroscience• Societal perception of neuroscience• Nature of family structure and social fabric• EU vision and planning for ageing population • Something (disaster) changing priorities

Driving Forces

Key Uncertainties

• Extent of potential dysfunction-related needs• Extent of expectations related needs• Societal framing of ageing• Underlying financial logic/choices• Individual and societal capacity to adapt to complexity• Availability of external compensating means to deal with deficiencies• Level of understanding of intrinsic mechanisms contributing to

successful ageing• Level of multidisciplinarity in neuroscience• Societal perception of neuroscience• Nature of family structure and social fabric• EU vision and planning for ageing population • Something (disaster) changing priorities

Key Uncertainties

Key Uncertainties

Level of understanding

in neurosciences(of intrinsic mechanisms

contributing to successful ageing)

High levelof

usefulness

Low levelof

usefulness

Deficientbio-physical entities- Biomedical logic - Focus on technology, physical body, organ function

Belgian societal framing

of the ageing process

Whole personswith different needs- Active ageing/preventive logic- Focus on cognitive function, cognitive environment, whole body wellness

• To explore possible scenarios onthe impact of neuroscience developmentson a society with an ageing population, up to 2025;

• To reflect on policy implications including public health, employment,social affairs & economic development.

Scenario thinking

Societal framing of ageing process

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brain sciences form a big part of successful ageing brain sciences mainly produce solutions to treat ailments performance of body and brain function is main driver enhancement products based on outcomes of scientific findings are flooding the market (product product) EU-vision and -policies shape Belgian thinking external shocks contribute to changed priorities in favor of neuroscience

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Societal framing of ageing process

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brain sciences form a big part of successful ageing brain sciences produce solutions towards active and healthy ageing medical and non-medical brain research are equivalently organised and funded focus is on prevention systems (education, health …) availability of new total ‘wellness’ offerings man-computer interface is focused on maintenance and stimulation of cognitive function

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Societal framing of ageing process

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brain sciences do not contribute substantially to successful ageing external shocks disfavour the development of brain sciences embedded processes are at the basis of intelligent environments (use knowledge about the emotional and affective needs of elderly) individual is enabled to function in his/her social environment (relational focus) existing brain sciences are mainly contributing towards the enhancement of life quality

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Societal framing of ageing process

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Progress in brain sciences is disappointing (remains in ‘it’s infancy’) and does not contribute substantially to successful ageing frustrated scientists (still in search of ‘Rosetta stone’) expectations and hopes (‘magic pill’) are much higher than what brain sciences can deliver curative medicine of neuro- and psychiatric ailments is low higher need for and reliance on social support mechanisms

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Societal framing on ageing process

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