As part of its public education campaign, the International Neuromodulation Society (INS) is joining over 190 organizations to support the European Brain Council's (EBC) proposal for the European Commission to recognize 2014 as The European Year of the Brain (EYOB).

If successful, the European Year of the Brain would "celebrate the wonder of the brain and create initiatives which will change behaviours and lead to measurable improvements in health," and has the potential to do the following:

• Increase the profile of all brain diseases in every member state
• Draw attention to the costs and impact of brain diseases now and into the future
• Increase funding for brain research through the framework programmes and in the member
       states
• Increase efforts to educate, inform and advise all those living with brain diseases in order to
       improve their quality of life
• Recognise the increasingly important role of those who care for a person living with a brain
       disorder
• Promote normal brain function and development and address barriers to these.
• Draw attention to health inequalities in brain diseases
• Develop action plans at local, national, regional and European level to address specific areas
       related to brain diseases
• Influence policy decisions over the next 5-10 years
• Address controversial and difficult areas
• Stimulate open debate and dialogue on brain diseases
• Show the value of partnership across all of society

We encourage you to view the materials developed in support of this initiative, which are posted on the EBC website at: http://www.europeanbraincouncil.org/projects/eyob/materials.asp

Please act now and support the European Year of the Brain 2014, by writing to your local Members of the European Parliament using this template letter.

A list of Members of the European Parliament can be found at: http://www.europarl.europa.eu/members/public/geoSearch.do?language=EN

We appreciate your taking the time to consider this important initiative that could influence the future of brain neuromodulation in Europe. Thank you!