The Norwegian Brain Council (‘Hjernera˚ det’) – united efforts are necessary! Gjerstad L, Gilhus NE, Stovner LJ, Hoff JM. The Norwegian Brain Council (‘Hjernera˚ det’) – united efforts are necessary! Acta Neurol Scand 2013: 127 (Suppl. 196): 1–4. © 2012 John Wiley & Sons A/S. There is a strong tradition of neuroscience in Norway, and Norwegian neurologists have been actively involved in developing partnerships between all those who recognize the importance of the brain and of brain diseases. It was therefore unsurprising that Norwegian neurologists took the initiative in establishing the Norwegian Brain Council (NBC). NBC was founded in 2007 and now comprises 27 organizations and institutions. It includes all those who work with brain research and brain diseases in Norway, as well as all relevant user organizations. Industries and businesses that are related to brain disease may be partners, but do not have full membership. The main mission of NBC is to provide information about the brain and brain diseases for both lay people and public authorities, including politicians, and to promote better treatment for patients with brain diseases and more research in neuroscience. The council has firm ties to the European Brain Council (EBC). NBC plans to follow the initiative taken by EBC in organizing a ‘Month of the Brain’ in 2013 and a ‘Year of the Brain’ in 2014. These initiatives could provide an impetus for greater focus on brain diseases, which is essential in order to meet the considerable challenges that are posed by brain diseases in the years to come. L. Gjerstad 1,2 , N. E. Gilhus 3,4 , L. J. Stovner 5,6 , J. M. Hoff 7 1 Department of Neurology, Oslo University Hospital- Rikshospitalet, Oslo, Norway; 2 Institute of Clinical Medicine, University of Oslo, Oslo, Norway; 3 Department of Neurology, Haukeland University Hospital, Bergen, Norway; 4 Department of Clinical Medicine, University of Bergen, Bergen, Norway; 5 Department of Neurology, St. Olavs Hospital, Trondheim, Norway; 6 Norwegian National Headache Centre, Department of Neuroscience, Norwegian University of Science and Technology, Trondheim, Norway; 7 Department of Neurology, Haukeland University Hospital, Bergen, Norway Key words: brain disorders; European Brain Council; neurology; Norwegian Brain Council; Year of the Brain L. Gjerstad, Department of Neurology, Oslo University Hospital – Rikshospitalet, 0027 Oslo, Norway Tel.: +47 41640740 Fax: +47 23074891 e-mail: leif.gjerstad@medisin.uio.no Accepted for publication September 16, 2012 Introduction In the years ahead, the impact of diseases related to the brain will increase dramatically. Therefore, there is a clear need for increased attention and focus on this group of diseases, and it is essential that the relevant parties join forces to meet these challenges (1). This requirement was one of the reasons why The Norwegian Brain Council (NBC) was founded on 11 October 2007. The plans for such a council, however, stretch much further back. In 1995, under the auspices of the Norwegian Neurological Association, a ‘Year of the Brain’ was arranged in Norway. After careful planning, the year opened with a solemn event in The Oslo University Aula with the Norwegian king present. A series of meetings were held throughout the country, and the newspapers covered the year with articles related to the brain and its diseases. A separate book, ‘Va˚r fantastiske hjerne’ (Our amazing brain) (2) written for the lay public, was published by two neurologists and helped in spreading relevant information. In connection with the 1995 ‘Year of the Brain’, the possibility was also explored of form- ing a council uniting all the organizations in Norway that work with the brain and brain dis- eases. However, for various reasons, it was not possible to establish such a council at that time. European Brain Council On 22 March 2002, the European Brain Council (EBC) was officially founded. On its homepage, EBC describes itself as ‘a coordinating council formed by European organisations in neurology, neurosurgery, psychiatry, basic brain research 1 Acta Neurol Scand 2013: 127 (Suppl. 196): 1–4 DOI: 10.1111/ane.12042 Ó 2012 John Wiley & Sons A/S ACTA NEUROLOGICA SCANDINAVICA