The Pasqual Maragall Foundation promotes and manages the Barcelonaβeta Research Centre, a project that integrates scientific research and brain neuro-imaging in the fields of Alzheimer’s and other neuro-degenerative diseases.

The scientific research programme will concentrate on the following aspects:

• Early identification of Alzheimer’s Disease: the ALFA (Alzheimer and Families) study involves over two thousand healthy participants descended from people affected by the disease. It includes the acquisition, subsequent processing and analysis of data on cognition, population, neuro-imaging, genetics/bioinformatics and biomarkers of cerebrospinal fluid. 

This scientific infrastructure will allow us to understand the natural history of the disease and to determine which factors influence its development, so as to design interventions for prevention before the disease appears.

• Research on memory and executive functions: designed to contribute to improving the memory, the executive functions and the cognition of older people, and to promote active aging practices.
• Therapeutic groups for carers of people affected by Alzheimer‘s aimed at improving their wellbeing and quality of life.

The centre will have a neuro-imaging platform for the acquisition, subsequent processing and analysis of neuro-images of neurodegenerative diseases.

The Pasqual Maragall Foundation carries out its scientific activity through the Barcelonaβeta Foundation, a body set up jointly with the Pompeu Fabra University.

ECONOMIC AND TECHNICAL DATA

• Built surface area: 4,300 m², laid out over 5 floors and a basement
• Work expected to be completed by 31 December 2014