The ultimate goal of the EU Joint Programme - Neurodegenerative Disease Research (JPND) initiative is to find cures for neurodegenerative diseases and to enable early diagnosis for early targeted treatments. However, it is not possible to give definitive predictions on how long this might take to happen.

In the interim, JPND will identify common research goals that would benefit from joint action between countries in order to accelerate progress on solutions that can alleviate the symptoms, and lessen the social and economic impact for patients, families and health care systems.

There will be 3 main components to this work.

• Improve the scientific understanding of the disease.
• Improve the medical tools available to doctors to identify and treat the disease.
• Improve the social care and structures available to assist patients, their families, and health service providers so that patients can receive optimum care at all stages of their illness.