Nestlé and EPFL in brain research partnership

Vevey, November 21, 2006

Lausanne, 21 November 2006 – The Nestlé Research Center (NRC) and EPFL (one of the two Swiss Federal Institutes of Technology) today signed a five-year agreement to conduct research on the relationship between nutrition and the brain. Under this agreement, Nestlé will contribute CHF 5 million per year to research at EPFL's Brain Mind Institute, where two Nestlé Chairs will be established. The research will extend from studying the role nutrition plays in children's brain development to identifying ways of slowing down brain decline in older age and preventing diseases such as Alzheimer's. The agreement will also include research into taste perception and flavour enhancement.

The deal comes in the wake of the 3rd International Nutrition Symposium held at the NRC on 25 October 2006 on the subject of Food and the Brain. Nestlé triggered this cycle of yearly events three years ago to establish the first world-class scientific forum devoted exclusively to food and health. The latest edition contributed to improving scientific understanding of the importance of food in fuelling the brain and of the brain in choosing food. A key finding was that a good diet has more potential than previously recognised to improve brain function. These findings are likely to help set specific nutritional targets to slow down or even stabilise age-related brain decline.

Media contacts:
François-Xavier Perroud (Nestlé) Tel.: +41-21-924 2596
Nicolas Henchoz (EPFL) Tel.: +41-79-219 8414

For more information:

Nestlé Research Center  

EPFL Brain Mind Institute