Bridging the Gap: Reframing Brain Health and Neurology in Spain

Atlantic Fellows Raquel Gutiérrez Zúñiga, Sandra Giménez and Carmen Lage reflect on a recent symposium in Spain which aimed to bridge the gap between clinical neurology and broader and more holistic approaches to brain health.

^{Andalusia, Spain | Photo by Wiebrig Krakau on Unsplash}

The Spanish Neurological Society (SEN) Annual Meeting in Valencia in November 2024 brought together over 1,000 attendees to explore the latest advancements in neurology. For us, as Atlantic Fellows based in Spain, a highlight was the symposium we organized, with Raquel and Sandra serving as moderators. During this session, we introduced the concept of brain health to a predominantly neurology-focused audience, aiming to bridge the gap between clinical neurology and holistic approaches to brain health.

The conference took place just a week after Valencia was devastated by tragic floods that claimed the lives of over 200 people. We expressed our heartfelt condolences and solidarity with the citizens of Valencia, recognizing the profound emotional and psychological toll such events can have on brain health. The disaster also underscored our shared mission to address all threats to brain health globally—including the growing impact of climate change.

The symposium kicked off with a presentation by Iracema Leroi, the newly appointed GBHI Site Director at Trinity. In her talk, Reframing Brain Health: Beyond Pathology to Potential, she highlighted the importance of viewing brain health as more than just the absence of disease. She stressed the need to move beyond a pathology-focused model to one that nurtures human potential, drawing on the World Health Organization's definition of brain health. Iracema also presented a case study from Southeastern Europe, illustrating how integrating biological, psychological, social, and environmental factors can inform policy decisions aimed at improving brain health.

We followed up with presentations that highlighted key intersections between clinical neurology and holistic brain health.

• Raquel shared findings from a Spain-wide survey of neurologists, offering valuable insights into current knowledge, awareness, and practices surrounding brain health. Pointing out significant gaps in understanding, particularly in dementia prevention, and emphasizing the need for urgent action to improve brain health outcomes across Spain.
• Sandra focused on the growing evidence linking poor sleep quality to neurodegenerative diseases. Discussing how disrupted sleep patterns contribute to the build up of amyloid plaques, a hallmark of Alzheimer’s, and underlining sleep’s crucial role in memory consolidation and cognitive function. Research that points to the importance of addressing sleep disturbances as part of broader brain health strategies.

The final speaker, Eider Arenaza-Urquijo from the Barcelona Institute for Global Health (ISGlobal), presented findings from the ALFA study, discussing how lifetime stress, particularly during midlife and childhood, is linked to Alzheimer’s pathologies, neuroinflammation, and brain structure changes. She also highlighted sex-specific differences and the link between childhood stress and increased neuroinflammation later in life, supporting evidence that early trauma has lasting effects on brain health. The study also showed that individuals with a history of psychiatric issues experienced more pronounced changes, suggesting impaired stress-coping mechanisms may worsen brain health.

The event, attended by the newly appointed president of the Spanish Neurological Society, Dr. Jesús Porta Etessam, marked a key moment for GBHI’s work in integrating brain health into neurology. His commitment to advancing brain health initiatives, particularly dementia prevention and equitable access to care, was a powerful endorsement of the symposium’s themes.

By linking clinical neurology with holistic approaches, the session sparked essential conversations about the future of brain health research, care, and policy. It also reinforced the growing recognition of the need to view brain health from a broader perspective.

Promoting brain health equity globally requires collective action. We are committed to fostering meaningful collaboration across GBHI, the Atlantic Fellows network, and our broader community. Together, we can address the challenges of brain health worldwide with fairness, courage, and respect—reframing brain health and building a healthier, more equitable future for all.