Projects
How Climate Change Impacts Brain Health: An In-Depth Analysis
Econeuro is committed to addressing the pressing issue of climate change and its impact on global health. As per the Lancet Countdown’s 2022 report, the climate crisis is “undermining every dimension of global health monitored,” and brain health is no exception. Despite the growing body of research on climate change’s impact on global health, there is a paucity of studies on its effects on brain health. This lack of understanding hinders our ability to develop effective interventions and policies to mitigate the harm caused by climate change to neurological health.
To address this gap, Econeuro is leading several collaborations with reputable institutions and organizations worldwide to identify the mechanisms underlying the adverse effects of climate change on brain development, cognitive function, and mental health. We work together with neuroscientists, climate scientists, and public health experts to develop a comprehensive understanding of the complex interactions between climate change and brain health.
We believe that our research can provide actionable insights that will inform policy decisions and help mitigate the harm caused by climate change on the brain. By collaborating with community organizations and advocacy groups, we seek to raise awareness of the urgent need to address this critical issue. Our ultimate goal is to identify vulnerable populations and develop evidence-based interventions that promote brain health and mitigate the harmful effects of climate change. Through our efforts, we hope to inspire positive change and support global efforts to combat climate change and promote public health.
Please see our Resources here to learn more about how climate change impacts our brain health.
Neurodegenerative Diseases: Insights Into Latest Research and Future Treatments
At EcoNeuro, we recognize the importance of disseminating complex biomedical knowledge to a broader audience, particularly patients and their families. It is essential to communicate scientific research findings in an accessible language to promote a better understanding of diseases, such as Alzheimer’s and Parkinson’s, and their impact on patients’ lives.
One of EcoNeuro’s goals is to bridge the gap between scientific research and the lay public by producing well-researched and informative articles. Our articles provide insights into the latest scientific research in brain health and neurodegeneration. Our work centers around translating complex scientific concepts into accessible language.
Through our contributions to popular science outlets, such as Psychology Today and Undark, we have successfully built a readership of over 100,000 individuals interested in learning more about these conditions and their implications for patients. Our work has helped to increase awareness and understanding of these diseases, empowering patients and their families to make informed decisions about their health.
You can access our select articles on our Resources here.
Creating patient-centered research tools for rare disease organizations
EcoNeuro is dedicated to tackling the global issue of rare diseases, which affect approximately 300 million people worldwide. Despite the name, as many as 7,000 rare diseases are known to exist, the vast majority of which are not well understood, and less than 5% have approved treatments. As a result, patients around the world are banding together to meet these challenges head-on.
Over the past two years, EcoNeuro’s director has been working as a consultant and data scientist for the Chan Zuckerberg Initiative’s Rare As One project. The project seeks to unite rare disease patient communities in their quest for cures by supporting patient-led organizations working to improve the lives of those affected by rare diseases.
EcoNeuro aims to empower rare disease communities by providing them with the resources, tools, and knowledge necessary to lead the charge in rare disease research. By elevating and strengthening these communities and promoting collaboration, we believe we can accelerate progress against rare diseases, bring hope to millions, and improve outcomes for patients and their families worldwide.
You can learn more about the Rare As One Project here.
Empowering researchers in their quest for knowledge discovery
One of EcoNeuro’s missions is to ease the daunting task of entering a new research field for scientists. Starting a new research project can be overwhelming, particularly for graduate students and assistant professors building their labs. It requires spending countless hours navigating different biomedical search engines to locate the necessary resources to construct knowledge, compare protocols, and select compounds, tools, and software. This process is time-consuming and can be discouraging, particularly for novice researchers.
To address this issue, EcoNeuro’s director served as an application scientist for the Chan Zuckerberg Initiative, contributing to the development of an AI-driven knowledge discovery tool called Meta.org. Although the project ceased operations in 2022, it aided researchers worldwide in monitoring advancements in biomedicine, thereby accelerating the quest to cure disorders that pose significant economic and social burdens on society.
You can learn more about this project here.
