Congressman Fattah to Speak on International Neuroscience Collaboration at Swiss Embassy

Fattah will speak to regional scientists about the Fattah Neuroscience Initiative and the growing need for international brain research collaboration

WASHINGTON, Dec. 18, 2013 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- Congressman Chaka Fattah (PA-02) will be a featured speaker at the Embassy of Switzerland tonight in Washington where he will address a group of regional scientists on his continued efforts to elevate neuroscience as a priority within the United States, while expanding partnerships with outside countries—particularly in the European Union—to collaborate in the global struggle against brain disease. Fattah, architect of the Fattah Neuroscience Initiative, has been a leader in Congress on the issues of science and innovation.

"Tonight is a wonderful opportunity to engage with Switzerland, and further promote international cooperation towards advancing neuroscience," Congressman Fattah said. "The Swiss are some of the most visionary scientists in the world when it comes to the human brain, as evidenced by the Human Brain Project headquartered in the country. They recognize that this is a global issue and that only collectively can we make headway into better understanding the brain."

Ambassador Manuel Sager, hosting the event, stressed the value of international scientific collaboration in the 21^st century. "Especially on a topic as ambitious as both the Brain Initiative and the Human Brain Project, we need to join forces whenever possible. And these two projects present an especially unique opportunity to pool our research across the Atlantic," he said. Referring to a recent study by the US-Israel Science & Technology Foundation (USISTF) according to which Switzerland is the U.S.'s most important innovation partner, he added: "I am very pleased that the brain projects will deepen the scientific relationship between our two countries even further." His Excellency expressed his gratitude of having Congressman Fattah to speak in favor of such a cooperation shaping today's research landscape.

Tonight, Fattah will also announce his efforts to create an enhanced database of brain diseases, allowing researchers worldwide to have easier access to the most current research and clinical trial data. The database will closely model the International Alzheimer's Disease Research Portfolio (IADRP) developed by the National Institutes of Health. Fattah has been pushing for increased international collaboration between the White House Office of Science and Technology Policy (OSTP) and other countries who are leaders in neuroscience research and technology, like Switzerland.

Joining Fattah as a speaker this evening is Noah Hutton, a film director who is currently working on a 10-part documentary on the Human Brain Project, headquartered in Lausanne, Switzerland. Hutton said he is excited to be able to present the trailer of his documentary series to Congressman Fattah, an involved audience in Washington, D.C., and as a guest of Ambassador Sager.

Through the Fattah Neuroscience Initiative, Fattah has spent the last two years advocating across the globe for increased funding, support, and partnership around brain research. Earlier this week, he joined Rep. Steve Israel and five organizations, including Israel Brain Technologies, to formalize a historic partnership in neuroscience research. 

SOURCE Office of Congressman Chaka Fattah