Congressman Focuses on Brain Mapping and Data Sharing in Events Highlighting Fattah Neuroscience Initiative

WASHINGTON, May 20, 2014 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- On Capitol Hill today, Congressman Chaka Fattah (D-PA) joined experts from around the world in drawing attention to the importance of brain mapping. Continuing his push to make neuroscience and brain research a national priority, the event was one of two in the last week spotlighting the ongoing efforts of the Fattah Neuroscience Initiative.

Hosted by the Society for Brain Mapping and Therapeutics (SBMT), the program's featured speakers included Dr. Timothy O'Leary, Director of Clinical Sciences Research and Development at the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs, Dr. Kirsty Duncan, a Member of the Canadian Parliament and Professor of Health Studies at University of Toronto, and Dr. David Pesiri, Director of The Richard P. Feynman Center for Innovation at Los Alamos National Laboratory. As part of Brain Mapping Day, Congressman Fattah was presented with the Pioneer in Healthcare Policy Award for his continued neuroscience advocacy; he was also recognized at SBMT's Annual World Congress in March.

The program came almost a week after Fattah delivered a featured keynote addresses at the third annual One Mind Summit. Fattah, who has worked closely with One Mind for Research, updated the group on the work of the Fattah Neuroscience Initiative and the need for increased collaboration between federal agencies and private and nonprofit partners.

At the invitation-only Summit, Fattah emphasized the role data plays in finding new discoveries that can lead to cures and treatments for some of the hundreds of brain diseases. He also advocated for open data, especially when research is publicly funded.

"We must strike a balance between the need for the sharing of data in order to advance discoveries in the neuroscience field, and respecting patient privacy and other concerns," Congressman Fattah said. "One Mind has recognized this challenge, and the ideas and recommendations produced from this year's summit will inform our work advancing data sharing in the medical and science fields. I am proud to partner in this effort and look forward to our continued commitment to fighting brain disease and mental illness."

One Mind was co-founded by former Congressman Patrick Kennedy, who served with Fattah on the House Appropriations Subcommittee on Commerce, Justice, and Science (CJS). The subcommittee is responsible for the nation's science funding, including the National Science Foundation; Fattah recently announced that $105 million is included for neuroscience research in this year's FY15 CJS appropriations bill.

The focus of this year's three-day summit was addressing barriers and incentives to sharing data in medical research. The One Mind Summit is an annual event that convenes leading researchers, scientists, doctors, and leadership from pharmaceutical and other healthcare-related companies.

One Mind for Research is playing a leading role in the research, funding, marketing, and public awareness of mental illness and brain injury, by bringing together the governmental, corporate, scientific, and philanthropic communities in a concerted effort to drastically reduce the social and economic effects of mental illness and brain injury within ten years.

Related Video:
Congressman Fattah's Keynote at the 3^rd Annual One Mind Summit:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xEM14E5jaak

Congressman Fattah Accepts Pioneer in Healthcare Policy Award:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BXQHQ32kNQs

Fattah at Philadelphia's Brain Health Fair:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=X9BsWEbfagA&list=UUkTfk-NcVzE1hk-svI6mclw

SOURCE Office of Congressman Chaka Fattah