Now, in the Symposium that we are organising to close the cycle that began with La Marató 2010, we will learn about the skill and the painstaking work of the 55 research teams in the 30 projects that were funded from the donations that were collected, money that was translated into significant advances in the knowledge of acquired spinal cord and brain injuries. From sensory stimulation therapies that help to recover the ability to swallow, smell or speak, to ideas for regenerative medicine of damaged tissue, the results presented by the Foundation are focused on improving the quality of life of the people who have such an injury.

The 30 projects presented are those that achieved the highest score of the 100 that were presented in response to Foundation’s call. The Catalan Agency for Health Technology Assessment and Research co-ordinated a demanding process of international evaluation in which 111 specialists examined the quality, methodology, health and social relevance, innovative value, and viability of every candidate project.

The Symposium is a perfect meeting place for the scientists who have worked during these years on research into acquired spinal cord and brain injuries and the members of the public whose hard work has made possible this great boost to research that will have an impact on health. A new meeting of science with voluntary activity on the 25th anniversary of La Marató, in the unique setting of the Institute of Catalan Studies.