The brain is the foremost frontier of biomedical research and one of the most challenging areas in all the sciences.

Only by revealing the secrets of the brain and its functions will it be possible to change the lives of millions of people of all ages who are living with neurological diseases and disorders, mental illnesses, addictions, brain and spinal cord injuries. Brain illnesses are among the highest causes of death and disability in the world, including Malta.

Giuseppe Di Giovanni, from the University of Malta, and neuroscientists from the Malta Neuroscience Network (MNN) strive to raise awareness of the brain’s capabilities and the illnesses that can afflict it. More importantly, however, they seek to advance the research on the body’s most complex organ.

One of the MNN’s initiatives, Malta Brain Awareness Week is part of a global campaign to raise public awareness of the progress and benefits of brain research. The activities taking place this week include public talks and events at the University campus and in Valletta.

“While about half a million people die of breast cancer every year, one million commit suicide. Add death due to Alzheimer’s, Parkinson’s diseases, the abuse of drugs and all the other neurodegenerative disorders and the numbers hit the roof,” Prof. Di Giovanni says.

“Anyone with a brain is at risk. One in three Maltese people – and about one billion people worldwide – will suffer from some form of condition or disease at some point in their lives, which includes depression, anxiety, dementia, multiple sclerosis and autism. These are among the 21st century’s biggest challenges in terms of public health too, so we need to develop new cures for these conditions rather than simply new treatments.

“However, notwithstanding the high social impact of mental illnesses, social awareness of brain research is low and such illnesses are still perceived as a sign of weakness, a punishment or an indulgence. Mental patients are often abandoned by their families and friends because of the stigma attached to mental health. We must change this situation,” he pleads.

Campaign patroness Christabelle was invited to the University of Malta to meet the neuroscientists and to see the research being done in Malta about mental illness.

“I am impressed! The researchers explained to me that, despite all the important discoveries made in the last few years, we are far from new therapy and treatments,” the singer said.

Brain illnesses are among the highest causes of death and disability in the world, including Malta

Prof. Di Giovanni describes Christabelle as the perfect testimonial to support the awareness campaign, especially after being selected to represent Malta in Portugal Eurovision festival with her song Taboo, which deals with the burden of mental illness.

Christabelle’s role of patroness follows her appointment as ambassador for the President’s Foundation for the Well-being of Society on the mental health sector. “After having accepted to encourage those suffering from a mental health condition, I am now happy to help mental health research, the only way to find better ways of treating and preventing mental illness,” she remarks.

Taking part in the awareness week events apart from Prof. Di Giovanni are scientists Vanessa Camilleri, Rebecca Gorrieri, David Cassar and Christian Zammit together with many of their colleagues from different departments and institutes. Giacomo Rizzolatti, a professor at the Parma University who discovered mirror neurons, also forms part of the campaign.

The Brain Awareness Week will bring the research taking place in Malta and connecting it to the international scenario.

Ninety per cent of what we know about the brain has been discovered over the past 20 years. More recent findings have suggested common mechanisms as the link between various brain disorders.

This “systems” approach to neuroscience is supported by research that has linked inflammation from immune system disorders or injury early in life to an increased risk of developing mental illness. The approach has enabled scientists to think of the brain as an interconnected complex system, an idea which is fundamentally changing the way in which brain research is tackled.

Though the efforts being made look promising, scientists point out that the best chances of success will result from providing researchers with sufficient funding to produce the paradigm-shifting discoveries that fundamental, translational and clinical researchers, working together as a team, can advance to the clinic. This approach, will ultimately bring us closer to our goals of understanding the brain and its incredible potential, allowing us to preserve brain health and benefit patients, families and caregivers.

“Christabelle has joined our cause and has made an appeal to the Maltese people to donate to the University’s research trust for mental health research. This funding will go 100 per cent towards research to explore different psychiatric disorders, determine the underline pathological mechanisms and discover new therapies. The donations will raise awareness and understanding of the brain and brain disease and increase support for Malta’s excellent and innovative brain research.

“Every Maltese will benefit from Malta’s leadership and vision in this important area, not just the patients,” Prof. Di Giovanni says.

Brain Awareness Week programme accessible at www.um.edu.mt/cbc/notices/maltabrainawarenessweek2018.