Harris Eyre is an Australian neuroscientist, entrepreneur, economic strategist and author. [1] [2] [3] [4] He is focused on advancing the brain economy, aka the brain-positive economic transformation, to stop and reverse the loss of global brain capital. [5] [6] [7] It is believed the world is increasingly relying on brain capital, where a premium is put on brain skills and brain health (e.g., individual’s cognitive, emotional, and social brain resources), [8] and that investing in building brain capital is fundamental to meet modern societal challenges and to drive innovation. [9]
He is a former Forbes 30 Under 30 Asia Listmaker [10] and UCLA Fulbright Scholar. [11]
In his work, he incorporates insights from precision medicine, [12] clinical care, [13] entrepreneurship, [14] convergence science, [15] consumer participation, [16] workforce development, [17] economics, [18] public policy [19] and diplomacy. [20]
Eyre is a migraineur and recently wrote a short story titled "My migraines are a super power" for the European Federation of Neurological Associations. [21] [22]
Eyre grew up in Mackay, Queensland, Australia [23] , attended the Whitsunday Anglican School where he was awarded the 2024 Young Old Scholar Award. [24] He completed his undergraduate medical degree (Bachelor of Medicine, Bachelor of Surgery (MBBS) with Honours) at James Cook University in North Queensland, Australia, where he was awarded the 2017 Early Career Alumni Award. [25] His medical education specialized in rural, remote, Indigenous and tropical health. [26] He then completed his PhD in neuroscience at the University of Adelaide. [27] During his PhD, he was awarded the W.G. Walker Fulbright Scholarship to study at UCLA. [28] The W.G. Walker Fulbright Scholarship is awarded to the top Australian Fulbright Scholar annually. [29]
Eyre works with leading think tanks including the Center for Health and Biosciences at The Baker Institute for Public Policy at Rice University, [30] the Meadows Mental Health Policy Institute, [31] the Euro-Mediterranean Economists Association, [32] The Brookings Institution, [33] the Center for European Policy Studies [34] , and the Global Brain Health Institute. [35]
Eyre is the lead editor of 'Convergence Mental Health: A Roadmap Towards Transdisciplinary Innovation' with Oxford University Press. [36] The book description as outlined on the Oxford University Press website reads "Modern mental health issues are characterized by their complex, multi-systemic nature and broad societal impact, making them poorly suited to siloed approaches of thinking and innovation. Convergence science integrates knowledge, tools, and thought strategies from various fields and is the focal point where novel insights arise. Convergence Mental Health presents a blueprint for leveraging convergence science within the context of mental health in order to improve patient outcomes and health care systems." [36]
This book includes contributions from organizations including the Milken Institute, APEC, OECD, Harvard University, Stanford University and the Mayo Clinic. [36]
Notable chapter contributors include Julio Licinio, Vikram Patel and Reid Hoffman. [37]
Notable quotes of support come from Jeff Cummings, John Arnold, Peter C Farrell, Victor Dzau and Ernestine Fu. [37]
The brain economy model recognizes solving brain health challenges will require major transitions across most major sectors. [38] Each of these is complex and will require a systems approach. Incremental change will not be sufficient and there are few silver bullets. No single technology, policy, or actor alone can achieve these critical shifts. Rather, it will take a community of people working together across systems to employ innovative solutions and accelerate change.
Eyre is leading the development of the Brain Capital Grand Strategy. [39] [40] [41] This includes exploring and actioning Brain Capital in-all-policies, articulating and actioning the Brain Capital Investment Plan, [42] and developing a Brain Capital Index.
He co-led the OECD Neuroscience-inspired Policy Initiative. [43] This Initiative sought to advance brain-based policy and investment innovations. On January 27, 2021, the OECD held a Brain Capital Event on this topic. [44] Notable speakers included Angel Gurria (OECD Secretary General), Admiral William H McRaven, Thomas C Leppert, Megan Greene and Francesca Colombo. [44] On March 26, 2021, the OECD held an event titled 'Innovations to Address Women’s Brain Health Inequalities'. [45] Notable speakers included Juan Yermo (OECD Chief of Staff), Maureen Hackett, Antonella Santuccione, Sofia Noori, Sandra Bond Chapman and Megan Green. [45] On June 10, 2021, the OECD held an event titled 'Rethinking Productivity: Insights from Neuroscience'. [46] Notable speakers included George Vradenburg, Andy Keller, Husseini K Manji, Chiara Crisculo and Andrew S Nevin. [47]
He leads the Brain Capital Alliance. [48] This is an expanded, multi-national and multi-organisational programme.
Brain capital has been profiled in the following policy innovation fora:
- World Economic Forum [49]
- United Nations General Assembly [50]
- Wharton Neuroscience Initiative Summit [51]
- Women in Government Leadership and Innovation Summit [52]
- FENS Forum [53]
- Congressional Neuroscience Caucus [54]
- US House Select Committee on Economic Disparity and Fairness in Growth [55]
- Lundbeck position statement on brain health [56]
- WHO position statement on brain health [57]
- Brookings Policy Paper proposing a White House Brain Capital Council [19]
- European Brain Initiative [58]
- United Nations Development Programme Human Development Report [59]
- PwC [60]
Eyre is an advisor to the University of Sydney's Mental Wealth Initiative (MWI). [61] Notable members of the MWI Advisory Panel include former Australian Prime Minister, the Hon. Malcolm Turnbull, Businesswoman, Lucy Turnbull, AO, Economist and Lawyer, Professor Allan Fels, AO, economist and former Labor Party politician, the Hon. Dr Craig Emerson, and World Bank economist, Professor William Hynes.
Brain Capital Industrial Innovation Strategy
A global coalition of authors recently published on this strategy by a Rice University Baker Institute for Public Policy Research Paper titled '7 Steps for Igniting the Brain Capital Industrial Strategy'. This is a public private strategy that focuses on building economic resilience through an emphasis on cultivating citizens’ brain health and brain skills to contribute to an innovative and thriving economy. This strategy outlines how governments, academia and the private sector need to unite to tackle this goal of improving our brain function and enhancing our potential. Funding initiatives, research partnerships and open dialogue will be critical to drive this movement forward. By championing an industry focused on improving brain function, the authors argue that we have the chance to reshape industries, enhance lives and shape a future that works for people’s brains.
Eyre has held a number of industry positions during his career. He was an advisor to the HEKA Fund, a brain capital-focused venture fund which is a collaboration between Newfund Capital and FondaMental Fondation. [62] He was president and chief medical officer of PRODEO, a group of brain health-focused executives. [63] He co-founded The PRODEO Institute, a think-tank focused on radically approaches to advancing brain health. [64]
In 2015, Eyre was announced as Co-Founder and Chief Medical Officer of CNSdose, a company focused on personalized medication guidance. [65] [66] CNSdose is noted for incorporating blood-brain-barrier genetics into their tool and publishing a Randomized Controlled Trial. [67] [68] In 2016, the US Department of Veterans Affairs Health Administration noted CNSdose technology as "the most promising in an early field." [69] CNSdose is a Texas Medical Center Venture Fund Portfolio Company. [70] CNSdose completed the Melbourne Accelerator Program in 2016. [71] When Eyre was Chief Medical Officer, the non-executive chairman was Hon Andrew Robb AO (former Trade and Investment Minister of Australia). [72] As Chief Medical Officer, Eyre worked in successful teams to secure a major commercial contract with Intermountain Healthcare [73] and independent funding for a large, multi-side RCT with Ramsay Health Care. [74] While he was with CNSdose, he was heavily involved in scientific collaborations with global experts. [75] [76]
Eyre published 190 + articles and chapters,. [77]
In his research career, he has co-authored numerous works including the 'Brain Capital Grand Strategy', [39] 'B rain Capital Industrial Innovation Policy' , 'Comprehensive Brain Deal' [78] 'Green Brain Capital', [79] 'Neuroshield', [80] 'Brain Health Executive', [81] 'Sleep Diplomacy', ‘Responsible Innovation in Mental Health ’, [82] 'Brain-based Stakeholder Capitalism', [83] 'Brain Health Gap', [84] 'Measurement-based Cognitive Care', [85] ‘Mental Health Innovation Diplomacy’ , [86] the 'Brain Health Diplomacy' model, [87] the 'Mars Mental Health' model, [88] the 'Phase-specific Neuroimmune Model of Depression', [89] a meta-analysis of chemokines in depression, [90] a meta-analysis of pharmacogenetic-based decision support tools for depression, [91] a randomized controlled trial of yoga to prevent dementia [92] and the model of 'Convergence Psychiatry'. [15]
He maintains advisory roles with Baylor College of Medicine, [93] Houston Methodist, the Davos Alzheimer's Collaborative. [94] and the Latin American Brain Health Institute. [95]
His academic work has been profiled in The New York Times, [96] the Financial Post, [97] [98] neo.life, [99] STAT, [100] the Australian Financial Review, [101] the 'Financial Times', [102] Univision, [103] Dallas Morning News [104] and Les Echos. [105]
Eyre has been awarded various awards throughout his career including:
Bipolar disorder, previously known as manic depression or manic depressive disorder, is a mental disorder characterized by periods of depression and periods of abnormally elevated mood that each last from days to weeks. If the elevated mood is severe or associated with psychosis, it is called mania; if it is less severe and does not significantly affect functioning, it is called hypomania. During mania, an individual behaves or feels abnormally energetic, happy, or irritable, and they often make impulsive decisions with little regard for the consequences; there is usually also a reduced need for sleep during manic phases. During periods of depression, the individual may experience crying, have a negative outlook on life, and demonstrate poor eye contact with others. The risk of suicide is high; over a period of 20 years, 6% of those with bipolar disorder died by suicide, while 30–40% engaged in self-harm. Other mental health issues, such as anxiety disorders and substance use disorders, are commonly associated with bipolar disorder. The global prevalence of bipolar disorder is estimated to be between 1-5% of the world's popluation.
A mental disorder, also referred to as a mental illness, a mental health condition, or a psychiatric disability, is a behavioral or mental pattern that causes significant distress or impairment of personal functioning. A mental disorder is also characterized by a clinically significant disturbance in an individual's cognition, emotional regulation, or behavior, often in a social context. Such disturbances may occur as single episodes, may be persistent, or may be relapsing–remitting. There are many different types of mental disorders, with signs and symptoms that vary widely between specific disorders. A mental disorder is one aspect of mental health.
Mania, also known as manic syndrome, is a psychiatric behavioral syndrome defined as a state of abnormally elevated arousal, affect, and energy level. During a manic episode, an individual will experience rapidly changing emotions and moods, highly influenced by surrounding stimuli. Although mania is often conceived of as a "mirror image" to depression, the heightened mood can be dysphoric as well as euphoric. As the mania intensifies, irritability can be more pronounced and result in anxiety or anger.
Schizophrenia is a mental disorder characterized by hallucinations, delusions, disorganized thinking and behavior, and flat or inappropriate affect. Symptoms develop gradually and typically begin during young adulthood and are never resolved. There is no objective diagnostic test; diagnosis is based on observed behavior, a psychiatric history that includes the person's reported experiences, and reports of others familiar with the person. For a diagnosis of schizophrenia, the described symptoms need to have been present for at least six months or one month. Many people with schizophrenia have other mental disorders, especially mood disorders, anxiety disorders, and obsessive–compulsive disorder.
Dementia is a syndrome associated with many neurodegenerative diseases, characterized by a general decline in cognitive abilities that affects a person's ability to perform everyday activities. This typically involves problems with memory, thinking, behavior, and motor control. Aside from memory impairment and a disruption in thought patterns, the most common symptoms of dementia include emotional problems, difficulties with language, and decreased motivation. The symptoms may be described as occurring in a continuum over several stages. Dementia ultimately has a significant effect on the individual, their caregivers, and their social relationships in general. A diagnosis of dementia requires the observation of a change from a person's usual mental functioning and a greater cognitive decline than might be caused by the normal aging process.
Outpatient commitment—also called assisted outpatient treatment (AOT) or community treatment orders (CTO)—refers to a civil court procedure wherein a legal process orders an individual diagnosed with a severe mental disorder to adhere to an outpatient treatment plan designed to prevent further deterioration or recurrence that is harmful to themselves or others.
Electroconvulsive therapy (ECT) or electroshock therapy (EST) is a psychiatric treatment during which a generalized seizure is electrically induced to manage refractory mental disorders. Typically, 70 to 120 volts are applied externally to the patient's head, resulting in approximately 800 milliamperes of direct current passing between the electrodes, for a duration of 100 milliseconds to 6 seconds, either from temple to temple or from front to back of one side of the head. However, only about 1% of the electrical current crosses the bony skull into the brain because skull impedance is about 100 times higher than skin impedance.
A mental disorder is an impairment of the mind disrupting normal thinking, feeling, mood, behavior, or social interactions, and accompanied by significant distress or dysfunction. The causes of mental disorders are very complex and vary depending on the particular disorder and the individual. Although the causes of most mental disorders are not fully understood, researchers have identified a variety of biological, psychological, and environmental factors that can contribute to the development or progression of mental disorders. Most mental disorders result in a combination of several different factors rather than just a single factor.
A psychiatric or psychotropic medication is a psychoactive drug taken to exert an effect on the chemical makeup of the brain and nervous system. Thus, these medications are used to treat mental illnesses. These medications are typically made of synthetic chemical compounds and are usually prescribed in psychiatric settings, potentially involuntarily during commitment. Since the mid-20th century, such medications have been leading treatments for a broad range of mental disorders and have decreased the need for long-term hospitalization, thereby lowering the cost of mental health care. The recidivism or rehospitalization of the mentally ill is at a high rate in many countries, and the reasons for the relapses are under research.
Attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) or hyperkinetic disorder (HD), is a neurodevelopmental disorder characterized by executive dysfunction occasioning symptoms of inattention, hyperactivity, impulsivity and emotional dysregulation that are excessive and pervasive, impairing in multiple contexts, and developmentally-inappropriate.
Helen S. Mayberg, is an American neurologist. Mayberg is known in particular for her work delineating abnormal brain function in patients with major depression using functional neuroimaging. This work led to the first pilot study of deep brain stimulation (DBS), a reversible method of selective modulation of a specific brain circuit, for patients with treatment-resistant depression. As of August 2019, she has published 211 original peer-reviewed articles, 31 books and book chapters, and acted as principal investigator on 24 research grants. Mayberg is coinventor with Andres Lozano of “Method for Treating Depression Mood Disorders and Anxiety Disorders using Neuromodulation,” US patent 2005/0033379A1. St. Jude Medical Neuromodulation licensed her intellectual property to develop Subcallosal Cingulate Deep Brain Stimulation for Treatment-Resistant Unipolar and Bipolar Depression for the treatment of severe depression. As of 2018, Mayberg holds positions as Professor of Neurology and Neurosurgery and Professor, Psychiatry and Neuroscience, both at Mount Sinai Medical School, and Professor of Psychiatry, Emory University; Emory University Hospital. Since 2018, she has served as Director, Nash Family Center for Advanced Circuit Therapeutics at the Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai.
The Journal of Medical Internet Research is a peer-reviewed open-access medical journal established in 1999 covering eHealth and "healthcare in the Internet age". The editors-in-chief are Gunther Eysenbach and Rita Kukafka. The publisher is JMIR Publications.
Child and adolescent psychiatry is a branch of psychiatry that focuses on the diagnosis, treatment, and prevention of mental disorders in children, adolescents, and their families. It investigates the biopsychosocial factors that influence the development and course of psychiatric disorders and treatment responses to various interventions. Child and adolescent psychiatrists primarily use psychotherapy and/or medication to treat mental disorders in the pediatric population.
Jeffrey H. Meyer is a scientist and professor working with mood and anxiety disorders using neuroimaging at the Department of Psychiatry, University of Toronto. He is currently the head of the Neurochemical Imaging Program in Mood and Anxiety Disorders in the Brain Health Imaging Centre at the Campbell Family Mental Health Research Institute and is working as a Senior Scientist in the General and Health Systems Psychiatry Division at the Centre for Addiction and Mental Health. He has also been awarded with the Tier 1 Canada Research Chair in the Neurochemistry of Major Depression.
Psychiatry is the medical specialty devoted to the diagnosis, prevention, and treatment of deleterious mental conditions. These include various matters related to mood, behaviour, cognition, perceptions, and emotions.
Patrick Dennistoun McGorry is an Irish-born Australian psychiatrist known for his development of the early intervention services for emerging mental disorders in young people.
Psychiatry is, and has historically been, viewed as controversial by those under its care, as well as sociologists and psychiatrists themselves. There are a variety of reasons cited for this controversy, including the subjectivity of diagnosis, the use of diagnosis and treatment for social and political control including detaining citizens and treating them without consent, the side effects of treatments such as electroconvulsive therapy, antipsychotics and historical procedures like the lobotomy and other forms of psychosurgery or insulin shock therapy, and the history of racism within the profession in the United States.
Jeffrey W. Swanson is an American medical sociologist and professor in psychiatry and behavioral sciences at Duke University School of Medicine. He is an expert in psychiatric epidemiology, especially as regards the epidemiology of violence and serious mental illness.
Carolyn M. Mazure is an American psychologist and the Norma Weinberg Spungen and Joan Lebson Bildner Professor of Psychiatry and Psychology at the Yale School of Medicine. She created and directs Women’s Health Research at Yale — Yale’s interdisciplinary research center on health and gender.
The COVID-19 pandemic has impacted the mental health of people across the globe. The pandemic has caused widespread anxiety, depression, and post-traumatic stress disorder symptoms. According to the UN health agency WHO, in the first year of the COVID-19 pandemic, prevalence of common mental health conditions, such as depression and anxiety, went up by more than 25 percent. The pandemic has damaged social relationships, trust in institutions and in other people, has caused changes in work and income, and has imposed a substantial burden of anxiety and worry on the population. Women and young people face the greatest risk of depression and anxiety. According to The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention study of Mental Health, Substance Use, and Suicidal Ideation During the COVID-19 Pandemic, "63 percent of young people reported experiencing substantial symptoms of anxiety and depression".