Neurolights Illuminate How Brain Diseases Change the Mind

To shine a light on three of the most serious brain diseases this Christmas, the Swedish Brain Foundation has created Neurolights: three specially designed string lights whose light patterns illustrate how each disease affects the brain. The idea behind the campaign is based on the insight that string lights and the anatomy of the brain share many similarities in both appearance and function.

“We have our neurons - which can be likened to the light bulbs - and we have the synapses, which can be compared to the cable of the string lights. But when we are a ected by brain diseases, nerve cells in the brain shut down and synapses break in different ways depending on the disease.” said Joakim Ramsberg, head of research at the Swedish Brain Foundation.

Each string light represents a person living with the disease today: Victoria, who lives with ALS; Jessica, who lives with Alzheimer’s; and Thomas, who lives with Parkinson’s. The light patterns were developed in close collaboration with a scientific expert who helped translate the progression of each disease into light patterns.

With the campaign Neurolights, the Swedish Brain Foundation aims to spread knowledge about these diseases. The hope is that the visual metaphor, combined with the person each string light represents, will make brain diseases easier to understand and relate to.

“Brain diseases are complex and di icult to grasp. Even though many people are familiar with the diagnoses, few know what happens in the brain when we are a ected. Through this campaign, we hope to contribute knowledge about the diseases and shine a light on the need for more research,” said Hanna Lidén, secretary-general, The Swedish Brain Foundation.

The string lights will be exhibited in 'Kungsträdgården', a big park in the very centre of Stockholm, the week before Christmas.