Resource allocation to brain research in Denmark: an example for other European countries

This study represents a first attempt at estimating Danish resource allocation to brain research including both public and private spending. It appears that private spending is at a reasonable level because a highly developed Danish pharmaceutical industry invests significantly in this branch of science. However, public spending is at a low level compared with several other European countries with a similar economic status. As for other European countries the funding is very low compared with the USA. Dedicated national investigations of the resource allocation to different branches of biomedical research are warranted. Brain research should of course be an important part of such studies. The USA and the European Union have selected brain research as one of their priority areas within health-related research. The present figures indicate that this is highly justified and should be copied in Denmark and in all other European countries.