Fondazione Prada is set to host the latest edition of “Preserving the Brain,” a part of its ongoing “Human Brains” project, aimed at addressing the prevention of neurodegenerative diseases. This initiative will unfold in Milan from 16 to 17 October 2024, featuring a scientific conference and an exhibition, followed by a series of meetings running until 7 April 2025.
Since its inception in 2018, the “Human Brains” project has been committed to exploring the complexities of the human brain and its significance in our history. This year’s edition is organised in collaboration with fifteen prominent neuroscience institutes from top universities worldwide, along with five Italian patient organisations. The scientific committee is chaired by renowned neurologist Giancarlo Comi, ensuring a high calibre of academic insight and research focus.
Previous forums on neurodegenerative diseases were held in Milan and Shanghai in 2022 and 2023, but this upcoming edition will place an emphasis on the critical need for prevention and early intervention. Diseases such as Alzheimer’s, Huntington’s, Parkinson’s, Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis, and Multiple Sclerosis are among those that still pose significant challenges and lack effective cures.
Miuccia Prada, the President and Director of Fondazione Prada, expressed the importance of fostering a stronger dialogue between the scientific community and the public. “The themes of prevention and the active role of culture in this field concern everyone, especially younger generations. It is crucial to combine scientific research with awareness-raising activities that can influence behaviours regarding neurodegenerative diseases,” she stated.
The event aims to address modifiable risk factors linked to these diseases. According to experts, changes in lifestyle, environmental considerations, and educational initiatives can have a profound impact on individual and community health. The evolution of genetic and biological markers has also made it possible to identify individuals at risk of developing specific conditions, paving the way for targeted secondary prevention strategies.
“Preserving the Brain: A Call to Action” will gather leading research centres, academics, patient associations, and governmental representatives. The forum aims to encourage a productive dialogue among diverse stakeholders to implement actionable strategies related to modifiable factors associated with neurodegenerative diseases. The overarching goal is to initiate a “call to action” directed at a broad audience, particularly younger individuals, encouraging them to take an active role in their health.
As Comi pointed out, the complexities of the brain and neural functions are central to human identity. He highlighted that neurodegenerative diseases threaten full participation in life by impairing sensory, motor, and cognitive functions. “Understanding and identifying the roots of these diseases, which are often intertwined with genetic and environmental elements, can help mitigate their impact,” he said.
This exhibition, designed to be accessible to the public, alongside meetings with patient organisations, aims to engage the entire community in the fight against neurodegenerative diseases. The initiative represents a vital step towards fostering awareness and mobilising action in the prevention and management of these debilitating conditions.
