Taking action in the public interest
In creating this Foundation, Clément Fayat wanted to make a contribution to solving some of the challenges facing our society. Three areas were particularly important to him: health, education and heritage.
Health
2024-2025 TOPAZ project Complementary non-pharmacological intervention
Attention is an indicator of good cognitive health and a clinical marker of the early stages of vascular dementia. Computerised attention span training demonstrates significant improvements but with high interindividual variability. With the use of Artificial Intelligence (AI), the project aims to show in elderly people or people with early-stage vascular dementia that customised training makes computerised attention training effective for all.
This project is coordinated by the FLOWERS team featuring the University of Bordeaux INRIA Centre (French National Institute for Research in Digital Science and Technology) and PARISTECH’s ENSTA multidisciplinary engineering school, headed up by Marion PECH, PhD. Postdoctoral student.
This interdisciplinary project combines both AI skills and clinical skills, providing cognitive intervention for neurotypical elderly people or people with minor vascular cognitive disorders.
The aim is to find out whether AI techniques, and particularly customisation algorithms, can optimise the number of responders to an attention training programme.
Dementia is caused by a mixture of neurodegenerative lesions and cerebrovascular diseases (CVD) that include vascular lesions that are “hidden” but detectable with neuroimaging upstream from clinical events and are associated with increased stroke risk.
In France, it is estimated that more than 5 million people aged over 65 suffer from CVD and could benefit from attention training to prevent or delay strokes and major neurocognitive disorders such as dementia.
The project proposes for the first time to take up the challenge of customising attention training for elderly subjects using Intelligent Tutoring Systems (ITS), in a cognitive intervention clinical pilot study.
Training
Two Clément Fayat scholarships
2024-2026 Equipment Operation CAP vocational training course
LFondation Clément Fayat is bolstering its partnership with EATP Égletons civil engineering school by funding two Clément Fayat scholarships for the 2024-2026 “Equipment Operation” CAP vocational training course.
This means obstacles to accessing the CAP equipment operation training course can be eliminated by sponsoring a customised bridging programme, providing individualised support.
One specific feature of Fondation Clément Fayat is how it provides monitoring and a customised bridging programme, by funding a specific educational and teaching support scheme.
This support opens up new possibilities for young people who want to advance with their project despite complicated personal situations. With EATP Égletons civil engineering school, Fondation Clément Fayat creates new opportunities.
Health
3rd Clément Fayat grant: VIP-PARK Medical research thesis 2023-2026
The aim of this thesis is to examine the dysfunction of one region of the brain and gain clearer insight into the neurological origin of anxiety, which has a considerable impact on the life of patients suffering from Parkinson’s Disease. The goal is to identify the effects of the vasoactive intestinal peptide (VIP) produced by specific neurons on various brain structures and establish links between dysfunctional signals and the anxiety experienced by such patients, in order to improve their daily lives.
The research is being led by the Dopamine and Neuronal Assemblies team from the Institute for Neurodegenerative Diseases at Bordeaux University.
Parkinson’s is a neurodegenerative disease, characterised by its motor symptoms (trembling at rest, bradykinesis, stiffness, etc.), which affects several million people worldwide. The disease also has non-motor symptoms such as the anxiety which has a considerable impact on the life of Parkinson patients.
The dysfunction of a clearly-identified region of the brain, the dorsal raphe nucleus (DRN), would appear to be at the origin of the development of anxiety in patients. Highly-specific neurons associated with this region are notably capable of secreting a neuropeptide known as vasoactive intestinal peptide (VIP). This thesis thus aims to better understand the role and involvement of this neuronal population in the release of VIP, and subsequently find a new way to treat anxiety and improve life for Parkinson patients.
Health
The VERGER DES BALANS project
2023-2025
Therapeutic Education Programme
LAlzheimer’s is the most common neurodegenerative disease. The Foundation supports the development of the Therapeutic Education Programme (TEP), at the GBNA clinic Le Verger des Balans in Dordogne, geared towards patients at a mild to moderate stage of Alzheimer’s or similar diseases, living at home with their caregivers.
The aim is to meet a growing demand from patients and caregivers to improve the quality of their daily lives.
This project is being led by the team from the Cognitive-Behavioural Unit of Le Verger des Balans (GNBA Santé), under the direction of ergotherapist Aurélie Jouhaud and psychologist Emma Poinot.
The development of Alzheimer’s and similar diseases has changed thanks to earlier diagnosis and adapted treatment. For patients suffering from mild effects, without loss of independence and living at home, therapeutic education is a way to meet the demand for care. Few programmes currently exist to this end in the Nouvelle-Aquitaine region. In order to assist as many patients as possible, the Verger des Balans/GBNA Santé TEP has been organised so as to broaden its intake capacity. Structured around 6 workshops to provide patients and caregivers with knowledge and know-how, help them to manage their daily lives and plan new activities despite the disease, this programme is led by a team of specifically-trained experts. On completion of the workshops, an assessment is carried out on the quality of life and emotional load of patients and their caregivers.
Health
Project MUSIC-HD 2023-2025 Complementary non-pharmacological intervention
The Foundation is supporting a clinical trial of music therapy in combination with standard treatment for 15 patients with early-stage Huntington’s disease. This genetic neurodegenerative disease is characterised by movement disorders combined with psychiatric impairment in 35-75% of cases. This pilot study aims to evaluate whether music therapy reduces irritability, impulsivity and anxiety, and improves the quality of life of patients diagnosed with this illness in the early stages and their carers.
For this study, the MUSIC CARE © tool will be used, an innovative software program that brings patients into a state of relaxation using the “U sequence” method, which involves reducing the musical rhythm, orchestral formation, frequency and volume (descending U-shaped phase). :
The study will be undertaken at the Clinical Investigation Centre, CIC INSERM 1402 at Poitiers University Hospital, under the scientific responsibility of Dr Isabelle Benatru, hospital practitioner in neurology and head of the Parkinson’s Expert Centre and the Huntington’s Disease Competency Centre at Poitiers university hospital.
Health
VLHE_EVAL Project 2023 - 2024
Post-doctoral grant
Since being opened in June 2020, Village Landais Alzheimer (VLHE) has become home to approximately 110 people with Alzheimer's disease or a related illness. This experimental project, the only of its kind in France, is based on non-medication treatments and support tailored to the patient. The research study involves comparative analysis of economic data (program costs and use of treatments) and clinical data (cognitive and functional evolution) from village residents and residents in nursing homes. The objective is to evaluate and put into perspective the clinical efficacy and economic cost of each of the program's models, as well as the effects on healthcare professionals and carers.
This project is led by the PHARes team from Bordeaux Population Health, under the direction of Jérôme Wittwer, University Professor of Economics at the Bordeaux School of Public Health (ISPED).
The first dementia village was created in the Netherlands in 2009, with the concept then being launched in France by Henri Emmanuelli. The challenge of this project is to assess the effectiveness and overall cost of this innovative form of care using medico-economic analysis and to thereby provide information to public decision- makers who are considering establishing such.
Heritage
The Medieval frescoes of Saint-Calixte Church 2025
The Foundation is supporting the uncovering of Medieval frescoes hidden by centuries of whitewash. This project forms part of the Saint-Calixte restoration programme. The Roman church, a listed historical monument, is located in the mountainside hamlet of Cazaux-Fréchet, overlooking the Louron valley
Saint-Calixte Church dates for the most part from the 11th century, with extensions dating from the 16th century. According to the legend, it was built in honour of the knight Saint Calixte, who came to the aid of the valley’s inhabitants to fight the Moors in the 11th century.
The ensemble of outstanding frescoes housed in this church testify to the continuity of worship over several centuries, with 11th-century Medieval style, 12th- and 15th-century Gothic, and other 16th-century works attributed to Melchior Rodiguis, a renowned figure of his time.
A team of experts is currently uncovering the first frescoes. An unexpected number of fabulous masterpieces are starting to emerge.
Health
2nd Clément Fayat scholarship:
Medical research thesis 2022 - 2025
The aim of this thesis is to characterise the anatomical organisation of motor circuits in the brainstem and to restimulate them to restore movement for people with Parkinson's disease.
Work carried out by the Development and Neurobiology of Neural Networks team at the Institute for Cognitive and Integrative Neuroscience of Aquitaine.
Find out more
Health
1st Clément Fayat scholarship:
Medical research thesis 2021 - 2024
This thesis focuses on the use of intelligent nanovectors capable of targeting the lysosomes of specific nerve cells and restoring their function of cleaning up aggregated proteins whose accumulation contributes to the pathological mechanisms of Parkinson's disease.
Research carried out by the Physiopathology of Proteinopathies team at the Institute of Neurodegenerative Diseases
Download the publications:
BioConjugate Chemistry March 2023 Cells February 2023 Find out more
Training
Two Clément Fayat scholarships
Equipment Maintenance BAC-PRO vocational training course 2024 - 2027
Fondation Clément Fayat is developing its partnership with EATP Égletons civil engineering school by funding two Clément Fayat scholarships for the 2024-2027 Equipment Maintenance BAC-PRO vocational training course.
By sponsoring a customised bridging programme with individualised support, Fondation Clément Fayat is opening up new possibilities for young people who want to advance with their project despite complicated personal situations, eliminating obstacles to accessing this training course.
Health
2024-2027 AUMASMART project Research grant
Over an 18-month period, the project aims to assess the link between progression in the autonomy of 100 patients with Alzheimer’s disease and progression of data on their daily smartphone use via use of an algorithm. The goal is to develop new non-invasive early markers to identify and track the progression of autonomy, in order to predict the progression of the disease and enable more customised treatment of patients.
In France, 1,200,000 people could be affected by Alzheimer’s disease or a similar disease. The first cognitive function affected is memory. Other cognitive systems are affected in the course of the progression of the disease, leading patients to gradually lose autonomy. Functional autonomy refers to patients’ ability to perform everyday tasks. The project starts from the hypothesis that there is a link between the progression of psycho-behavioural disorders, such as everyday smartphone use data, and the progression of the autonomy of affected patients.
The project aims to study links between the autonomy of patients with Alzheimer’s disease and smartphone use data, via the use of an algorithm, in order to identify predictive markers of autonomy and the appearance of psycho-behavioural disorders, with the aim of providing more customised treatment.
The development of an autonomy prediction tool will provide better information for both patients and their families on the progression of the disease, before the cognitive disorders become too severe, meaning they can play an active role in their disease regarding decisions on their health and express their wishes.
This multidisciplinary project, headed up by Adrien Julian, Doctor MD. PhD., from the DECLA team (functional DECLine and multimodal ANalysis) at the INSERM (French National Institute of Health and Medical Research) Clinical Investigation Centre 1402 at Poitiers University Hospital Centre, also involves the XLIM laboratory in Chasseneuil-du-Poitou, and the CerCA (Cognition and Learning Research Centre) laboratory at the University of Poitiers.
Health
ALOIS project 2023-2025
Therapeutic Education Programme
Early onset Alzheimer’s Disease affects 35,000 people in France. Given their age, no welfare structure is adapted to these patients requiring individualised psychosocial support. The project aims to create an innovative and multidisciplinary Therapeutic Education programme which would meet these patients’ specific needs in terms of behavioural disorders, and more particularly anxiety and stress management. The goal is to design and implement this programme in the Nouvelle-Aquitaine region.
The project is being led by the Memory Research & Resources Centre team at Bordeaux University Hospital.
Due to their age, patients suffering from early onset Alzheimer’s face particular difficulties in managing the disease in a socioprofessional and family context. No welfare structure is adapted to their specific needs. In the early stages of the disease, these patients develop psychobehavioural disorders, particularly anxiety, which disable their daily life.
Given the lack of a Therapeutic Education programme in Nouvelle-Aquitaine, the idea behind this project is to create an innovative programme including modules on stress management through hypnosis and meditation. The programme will be built in 3 phases: design and training based on the analysis of young Alzheimer patients’ needs, implementation, and assessment with adjustment.
Once up and running, the aim is to continue this programme in the long term by incorporating it in the activities of the Memory Resource & Research Centre.
This project is led in partnership with the Pain and Integrative Medicine department of the Institute for Integrative and Complementary Medicine (IMIC) and the Transversal Therapeutic Education Unit of Bordeaux University Hospital.
Training
International Integration Grants
Training in machinery operation 2023
The goal of this project is to support young Ivorians from disadvantaged districts interested in public works professions, as part of a training-conversion programme in the Ivory Coast. In association with the École de la Deuxième Chance [‘The Second Chance School’], two applicants will thus be awarded the Clément Fayat international integration grant to follow training in machinery operation at the Egletons Vocational Training Centre for Public Works.
Each trainee will be supervised by a sponsor-mentor from Razel-Bec, and training will begin with a 2-week work placement, followed by seven weeks’ training at the Egletons Vocational Training Centre for Public Works.
This support forms part of the vast and ambitious Training-Integration project for young people seeking qualifications, in the framework of the overhaul of the Technical & Professional Education and Training scheme set up in the Ivory Coast.
Health
IPPLAMS Project 2023 - 2024
Post-doctoral grant
Using data from more than 692 French multiple-system atrophy (MSA) patients, the MSA rare disease reference centre of Bordeaux University Hospital and the biostatistics team of the Bordeaux Population Health Centre have modelled five evolving profiles of patients with different speeds of progression and mortality risks. The aim of the IPPLAMS project is to identify relevant biomarkers to establish a prognosis for this rare neurodegenerative disease, using these five scalable profiles.
Research carried out by team 12 of the Neurodegenerative Diseases Institute of Bordeaux University Hospital.
Biomarkers such as certain specific zones of cerebral atrophy or the concentration of neurofilaments in cerebrospinal fluid are likely to be significant.
Analysing the correlations between these five evolving profiles and targeted biomarkers should allow physicians to give patients prognostic information based on a brain MRI, a blood test and a lumbar puncture. The results will also make it possible to refine clinical trials for this rare disease.
This project is led by neurologist and doctor of epidemiology Alexandrea Foubert-Samier and her team, in partnership with Cécile Proust-Lima, doctor of biostatistics at INSERM, from the Biostat team at Bordeaux Population Health Centre.
MSA is a rare neurodegenerative disease with median survival of between six and ten years, for which there is no treatment to slow down the inevitable progression of the illness. Patients with MSA show a wide range in the progression of symptoms, representing a challenge in giving prognostic advice and an obstacle to developing neuroprotective treatment strategies.
Health
TAP_DLB Project 2023 - 2025
Post-doctoral grant
Dementia with Lewy bodies (DLB) is a neurodegenerative disease with no known treatment currently, caused by the pathological accumulation of a protein naturally present in the brain in its soluble form. This project's research involves analysing the brains of primates that have been injected with Lewy bodies extracted from the brains of deceased patients. This analysis is the final stage before a primate model of DLB can be developed, essential both to the understanding of this disease and the development of therapeutic solutions.
Research carried out by the Physiopathology of Proteinopathies team of the Neurodegenerative Diseases Institute of the Bordeaux university hospital, under the direction of Erwan Bezard, INSERM Research Director.
The research team has already performed a comparative study of primate brains with DLB, Parkinson's and multiple-system atrophy, which identified avenues for future research that are both common and specific to each of the three synucleinopathies (diseases characterised by the abnormal accumulation of synuclein proteins, a shared feature of these three illnesses). This study strengthens the possibility of offering multiple treatment strategies for DLB.
Heritage
Raised mobile console for the pipe organ at Saint-André Cathedral in Bordeaux 2023 - 2026
Clément Fayat Foundation is supporting the CATHEDRA Association in its high-quality reconstruction of the pipe organ, with funding for the creation of a raised mobile console. This innovation will allow the organist to play the pipe organ or the choir organ amidst the audience. As a private financial sponsor, the Foundation aims to revitalise the richness of French heritage and showcase the expertise of artisanal craftsmanship used in this stunning project.
The CATHEDRA Association is at the helm of this project, responsible for the development and promotion of the organs and religious music of the Bordeaux Cathedral.
This project has both heritage and cultural importance. It is essential to allow music to be played in the best conditions and to place Bordeaux back at the forefront of organ recitals, with unique repertoires and approaches to attract new audiences and young talents.
Training
Two Clément Fayat Scholarships
Vocational training for machine operators 2023 - 2025
The aim is to offer two young people without a vocational training certificate the opportunity to enter the vocational training programme for machine operators, thanks to a pilot scheme to welcome them before the start of the school year and provide them with individual educational support.
This pilot project is structured around implementing a specific pedagogical framework:
Before the start of the new school year for the cohort, the scholarship recipients are introduced to the school and civil works occupations, and their academic level is assessed.
During the two-year course, they are mentored by two students from the years above and benefit from a specific academic support program supervised by teachers from general and vocational education.
The mentors and supervising teachers keep a journal tracking the students' progress.
An innovative project created in collaboration with EATP Égletons.
Heritage
Lalique windows in Reims / 30 Angels by René Lalique in Saint-Nicaise Church 2022 - 2025
As a major founding sponsor, the Clément Fayat Foundation, alongside the Fondation du patrimoine, is contributing to the restoration of these 30 works of sacred art, which are exceptional both by their size and the technique used (moulded pressed glass). The windows are an example of the inventiveness and extraordinary creativity of master glassmaker René Lalique. The project to restore the church's glass windows is being carried out by the Association des Amis de Saint-Nicaise du Chemin-Vert.
The church was built in 1924, and was part of the innovative garden city project in Reims, by Georges Charbonneaux. It was designed to accommodate 600 large families of employees from Reims in single-family homes, including a vegetable garden and a henhouse.
Feedback
Research grant
Non-pharmacological intervention: 2024 to 2025
“Thanks to Fondation Clément Fayat’s support we will be able to advance the field of cognitive training for neurotypical ageing and pathology by providing “customised” training thanks to advances in Artificial Intelligence, responding to current issues relating to demographic ageing. This allows me to further my passion for and expertise with regard to ageing and technologies, opening up new possibilities.”
Marion Pech
Postdoctoral student - TOPAZ project
Clément Fayat scholarship
Research thesis: 2024 to 2027
“I’m delighted to be able to continue my doctorate with a thesis in the field of neurosciences, which fascinates me, thanks to Fondation Clément Fayat’s financial support. Fundamental research, whether focused on the brain or on other fields, is crucial to understanding our body. I am grateful that this funding is provided by a local foundation that actively supports research.”
Emma Perrot
Doctoral student - VIP-PARK project
Clément Fayat scholarship
Research thesis: 2022 to 2025
“The support of the Foundation has enabled me to invest three years in this demanding project that I am passionate about: Exploring the contribution of a region of the brain to the regulation of our movements and the possibility of manipulating it to restore movement in Parkinson's disease.”
“I would like to thank the Foundation's managers for the time they spent with the research team to understand the central issues of our experiments. Feeling supported makes me even more determined to make a significant contribution to this research project.”
Abderrahman Fettah
PhD student - COUNTER-PD project
Clément Fayat scholarship
Research thesis: 2021 to 2024
“Support from the Foundation allows us to move forward with this ambitious project to explore new therapeutic avenues for Parkinson's disease using innovative technology, and helps fund my work in the laboratory. The interest shown by the Foundation's managers during their visits and their willingness to take the time to understand the details of the experiments shows a real commitment by the Foundation in this thesis, which motivates us to move forward with our research and make it accessible.”
Rémi Kinet
PhD student - NAPAD project
