Navigating the complexities of international data transfer law to advance brain health research

At the time of this article, dementia is a growing global health challenge, with an estimated 153 million people expected to be affected by 2050. Advancing understanding, treatments, and preventive strategies depends on secure and trustworthy access to high-quality health data. However, international data sharing remains difficult due to complex legal and regulatory frameworks. This article draws on projects commissioned by the Alzheimer’s Disease Data Initiative, which explore collaborative and legally compliant approaches to international data sharing. Both projects use flagship UK datasets maintained by Moorfields Eye Hospital NHS Foundation Trust and Public Health Scotland, which have significant potential to drive innovation and discovery in Alzheimer’s disease and broader brain health research if accessed securely and lawfully by international research teams. We examine the legal complexities of cross-border data sharing and highlight how emerging privacy enhancing technologies can help overcome barriers. Finally, we show how technical and governance solutions have enabled the two pilot studies to create a trustworthy environment for international collaboration in the fight against Alzheimer’s disease.