European Society for Brain Stimulation
Budget
€10 — €0
EP Access
0
accredited persons
Staff
4
0.4 FTE
EU Grants
None
Mission & Goals
The European Society for Brain Stimulation (ESBS) is an independent and professional association of medical doctors, psychologists, neuroscientists, and others practising and interested in Non-Invasive Brain Stimulation (NIBS) techniques such as repetitive transcranial magnetic stimulation (rTMS) and direct current stimulation (tDCS). Our mission is to promote public and accessible health care, research, and training in the field of brain stimulation and to foster the dissemination of knowledge about brain stimulation to clinicians, researchers, patients and governmental bodies such as the Notified Bodies of EU countries. The European Society for Brain Stimulation is a professional association of medical doctors, psychologists, neuroscientists, and others interested in neurostimulation including students. Its purpose is: i) the promotion of public health care, research, and training in the field; ii) the development of European guidelines on the use of neurostimulation; (...)
EU Legislative Interests
The Medical Device Regulation (MDR) (2017/745) and the Annex XVI have caused significant problems. A significant amount of European basic and clinical neuroscience research includes the use of transcranial magnetic stimulation (TMS) and low-intensity transcranial electrical stimulation (tES), including transcranial direct current stimulation (tDCS). However, two recent changes in the EU regulations, the introduction of the Medical Device Regulation (MDR) (2017/745) and the Annex XVI have caused significant problems and confusion in the brain stimulation field. The negative consequences of the MDR for non-invasive brain stimulation (NIBS) have been largely overlooked and until today, have not been consequently addressed by National Competent Authorities, local ethical committees, politicians, and the scientific communities. In addition, a rushed bureaucratic decision led to the seemingly wrong classification of transcranial stimulation devices without an intended medical purpose into the same risk group III as invasive stimulators. Overregulation is detrimental to any research and future developments, therefore the ESBS representing researchers, clinicians, industry, and patient representatives aims to contribute to the revision of the current regulatory framework in NIBS at the European level.
Communication Activities
Webinars, scientific documents. Examples: https://www.brain-stimulation.eu/manifesto-eu-reclassification-of-nibs/ https://www.brainstimjrnl.com/article/S1935-861X(23)01698-4/fulltext https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/abs/pii/S1388245724001184 https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S1935861X23016984 https://www.ifcn.info/UserFiles/file/CLINPH-S-25-01153_Targeted-Safety-Guidelines-update-Oct-2025.pdf
Interests Represented
Promotes their own interests or the collective interests of their members
Member Of
As an umbrella organization for the national Associations/Societies working in non-invasive brain stimulation, we have 7 collective/institutional members, listed below: - Association Française de Psychiatrie Biologique et de Neuropsychopharmacologie (AFPBN) - Deutsche Gesellschaft fur Hirnstimulation in der Psychiatrie - Asociación Espanola de Estimulación Cerebral - Dutch-Flemish Brain Stimulation - Croatian Society for Brain Neurostimulation - Portuguese Society of Psychiatry and Mental Health
Organisation Members
https://www.brain-stimulation.eu/partners/ https://www.brain-stimulation.eu/about-the-esbs/members/
Additional Information
The European Society for Brain Stimulation (ESBS) operates with a unique structure where our representatives are dedicated volunteers, and all members engage in pro-bono activities to advance our mission. The following financial aspects of our organization support and give context to the figures presented. Unpaid Representatives: All ESBS representatives generously contribute their time and expertise on a voluntary basis. Their commitment reflects our shared dedication to promoting excellence in the field of brain stimulation across Europe. Pro-Bono Activities: ESBS members are actively involved in pro- bono initiatives, including organizing events, preparing scientific materials, disseminating knowledge and fostering collaboration within the community and stakeholders. Limited Budget and Costs: As of the present date, ESBS operates with little budget, as our activities are primarily driven by the dedication of our unpaid members. Our focus for the second year of activities continued to be on extending the number of members, and establishing internal structures and working groups, and leveraging resources to maximize the impact of our future initiatives. Future Revenue Activities: the ESBS has started the planning of revenue-generating activities, with significant events, such as the European Conference and course series in noninvasive brain stimulation. The ESBS first financial year started on 01.01.2024 and ended on 31.12.2024. The financial report was presented to the ESBS General Assembly the 20 October 2024 and approved in an online voting procedure with a majority of 81 (out of 119) approvals and no rejections. EXPENSES MailChimp (Jimdo) € 591,50 Website € 542.70 Balance adjustment - Transfer to CHF account € 200 Banking fees € 135.07 Total Expenses 2024 € 1,469.27 CREDITS Individual membership (#74) (8 transitional) € 7600 Student members (#15) (1 transitional) € 375 Collective members (#6) € 2250 Total Income 2024 € 10,225 Total In/out flow € 8755.76
Commissioner Meetings
No recorded meetings with EU commissioners.