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Research Overview The Rohini Nilekani Centre for Brain and Mind tackles the global challenge of psychiatric disorders with a pioneering study focusing on high-risk families. Clinical investigations, including neuroimaging and neuropsychological assessments, are conducted on these cohorts regularly. Through our collaborations with NCBS, patient blood samples are used to establish disease-specific cellular models using immortalised cell lines and induced pluripotent stem cells (iPSCs). Clinical Group Endophenotype Group Genetics and Stem Cell Group By analysing these patient-derived cell lines through genetic studies & cell-based assays, alongside large-scale clinical data, our research aims to unravel the complex relationship between cellular phenotypes and psychiatric disorder progression. This interdisciplinary approach promises to advance our understanding and facilitate the development of innovative therapies, ultimately improving mental health outcomes. For Researchers For General Public Clinical Assessments Our clinicians conduct comprehensive evaluations of patients’ behaviours and symptoms. This is followed by a psychiatric screening that assesses family history, charts hereditary traits & measures the severity of the disorder. Neuropsychological tests evaluate cognitive skills in individuals with & without psychiatric disorders, considering their family history Genetic Studies We assess changes in DNA sequence in psychiatric patients, their immediate relatives & in unrelated controls (people without a psychiatric diagnosis). Understanding why & how these changes happen can help scientists understand how genetic risk translates to disease. Multimodal Neuroimaging We use imaging techniques such as eye-movement tracking, functional near-infrared spectroscopy, MRIs and EEGs. These help us evaluate the structural changes in the brain & its activity linked to psychiatric diseases. Bioinformatics Using powerful computers, we study differences in the DNA of individuals with & without psychiatric disorders in different populations. This genetic information helps us find the cause & predict the chances of developing these psychiatric disorders. Stem Cell Research Stem cells, developed from blood cells, are used to investigate differences in brain cells during disease. We study whether these cells function differently than those of non-affected people. Clinical Assessment Our doctors examine you for the presence of any psychiatric disorders & take a blood sample. They make a chart of your family history to understand if any psychiatric disorder runs in your family. They also assess how severe your disorder is & evaluate your cognitive skills. Brain Imaging Our researchers use different methods to peek inside the brain and check for any changes in its structure & function. EEG records the electrical signals from the brain. It helps us find changes in brain activity. We also use other techniques such as eye tracking & near infrared spectroscopy to study different forms of brain activity and function. MRI uses a powerful magnet to take detailed pictures of your brain, and allows doctors to check the structure for any potential abnormalities. Genetic Studies Remember the blood sample we took? We isolate DNA from blood cells & study the genetic sequence. We try to understand whether changes in the DNA are linked to certain psychiatric disorders. We also aim to understand the differences in DNA sequences using mathematical models. This helps us learn if these differences make it more likely for someone to develop psychiatric symptoms. Stem Cell Research We also use blood samples to create stem cells, which are special cells that can grow into many different kinds of cells in the body. We turn them into brain cells to understand how they function in people with & without psychiatric disorders. All of this information together, helps us understand psychiatric disorders better & can lead to development of better treatments!

Facilities Clinical and Endophenotype Stem Cell Laboratory Molecular Genetics Laboratory Bioinformatics Stem Cell Laboratory Cell culture facility (80 m²) 1 A dedicated, sterile, air-flow controlled workspace for culture of primary and stem cells Biosafety Cabinets 4 Provide a sterile, air-flow controlled work environment for cell culture CO₂ Incubators 6 Provide a controlled environment to grow cells Fluorescence Microscopes 2 Used to visualise fluorescently labelled cells Phase-contrast Microscopes 2 Used to image live, unstained cells Neon Electroporator 1 Allows gene delivery via electroporation Amaxa Nucleofector 1 High-efficiency nucleic acid transfection Heated Incubators 3 Temperature-controlled storage/growth LN₂ Cryotanks 5 Long-term cryogenic cell storage Ultra-low Freezers (−80°C) 6 Biobanking at ultra-low temperatures −30°C Freezers 4 Medium-term sample storage Refrigerators 2 Sample and reagent storage High-content Imaging System 1 Automated, high-throughput cell imaging Autoclave 1 Equipment & media sterilization Spectrophotometer 1 Sample absorbance/concentration measurement Clinical and Endophenotype Facilities Eye Tracking Functional Near-Infrared Spectroscopy (fNIRS) Magnetic resonance imaging Philips Ingenia 3.0T CX MRI Electroencephalography

Clinical Group Genetics and Stem Cell Group Endophenotype Group Endophenotypes are measurable and heritable traits or behaviors linked to a disorder, that sit between the genetic factors and the observable symptoms of the condition. Psychiatric disorders are increasingly viewed as neurodevelopmental disorders, which are influenced by genetic, epigenetic & environmental factors. These clues offer insights into genetic underpinnings of these disorders. Utilising endophenotypes derived from various assessments like neuroimaging can enhance the reliability of research on brain function. Dr. John P. John Professor, Department of Psychiatry Dr. Venkatasubramanian Ganesan Professor, Department of Psychiatry Dr. Jitender Saini Professor, Department of Neuro Imaging & Interventional Radiology Dr Bharath Holla Associate Professor, Department of Psychiatry Dr. Sreeraj V S Associate Professor, Department of Psychiatry Affiliated Labs and Centre ADBS Neuroimaging Centre (ANC) Centre for Brain Mapping (CBM) Translational Psychiatry Lab (TransPsych) Multi-modal Brain Imaging Analysis Lab (MBIAL) Facilities Eye Tracking Functional Near-Infrared Spectroscopy (fNIRS) MRI Scanner Philips Ingenia 3.0T CX MRI EEG Featured Publications Parekh P, Vivek Bhalerao G; ADBS consortium, John JP, Venkatasubramanian G. Sample size requirement for achieving multisite harmonization using structural brain MRI features. Neuroimage. 2022;264:119768. doi:10.1016/j.neuroimage.2022.119768 Lakkireddy SP, Balachander S, Dayalamurthy P, et al. Neurocognition and its association with adverse childhood experiences and familial risk of mental illness. Prog Neuropsychopharmacol Biol Psychiatry. 2022;119:110620. doi:10.1016/j.pnpbp.2022.110620 Bhalerao GV, Parekh P, Saini J, Venkatasubramanian G, John JP; ADBS consortium. Systematic evaluation of the impact of defacing on quality and volumetric assessments on T1-weighted MR-images. J Neuroradiol. 2022;49(3):250-257. doi:10.1016/j.neurad.2021.03.001 Parekh P, Bhalerao GV, Rao R, et al. Protocol for magnetic resonance imaging acquisition, quality assurance, and quality check for the Accelerator program for Discovery in Brain disorders using Stem cells. Int J Methods Psychiatr Res. 2021;30(3):e1871. doi:10.1002/mpr.1871 Holla B, Dayal P, Das A, et al. Transdiagnostic neurocognitive endophenotypes in major psychiatric illness. medRxiv (Cold Spring Harbor Laboratory). February 2020. doi:10.1101/2020.02.14.20022863

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Learn more about upcoming events at the Centre for Brain and Mind - NIMHANS Upcoming Events 4 days to the event Brain Bridge: Talks by CBM NIMHANS | Dr Max Lam ಸೆಪ್ಟೆಂ 12,2026, 5:30 PM – 6:30 PM RSVP Past Events Perspectives of Addiction - Zine Making Workshop ಶನಿ, 04 ಜುಲೈ NIMHANS Centre for Well-Being Details The Fault in our Cells ಭಾನು, 26 ಏಪ್ರಿ The Bangalore Local Why do mental illnesses exist and why do they affect some people but not others ? Details Medulina Matu | Prof Raghu Padinjat ಶುಕ್ರ, 06 ಮಾರ್ಚ್ Samagata Foundation Medulina Mathu (“brain talks”) is a new series by the Centre for Brain and Mind, NIMHANS, that brings neuroscience out of the lab and into everyday conversation. Details Brain Bridge: Talks by CBM NIMHANS | Prof Deepak Srivastava ಗುರು, 12 ಫೆಬ್ರ Zoom Webinar Details Sci560: Science in the City ಶನಿ, 16 ನವೆಂ Science Gallery Bengaluru This weekend scholars from NIMHANS will be at the Science Gallery Bengaluru for a series of programmes focused on mental health. Recordings of the events will be available on the Science Gallery Bengaluru website. Details Load More

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ಸೋಮ, 15 ಜುಲೈ | Bengaluru Coffee, Cinema and Community: Mental Health Redefined Time & Location ಜುಲೈ 15,2024, 9:00 ಪೂರ್ವಾಹ್ನ – ಜುಲೈ 21,2024, 7:00 ಅಪರಾಹ್ನ Bengaluru About the event This Brain Awareness Week program will bring discussions around mental health to our beautiful city. From cafe book talks to film discussions, from art exhibitions to storytelling workshops - let's talk about mental health, Bengaluru! Scroll down and click "see all" to view the full event schedule, or view full-size poster here Show More Schedule 4:00 ಅಪರಾಹ್ನ - 11:59 ಅಪರಾಹ್ನ 17 ದಿನಗಳು 7 ಗಂಟೆಗಳು 59 ನಿಮಿಷಗಳು Registrations Open | Through the Looking Glass: Artistic Perspectives on Mental Health 4:00 ಅಪರಾಹ್ನ - 6:00 ಅಪರಾಹ್ನ 2 ಗಂಟೆಗಳು Book Talk: Mindscape and Landscape: An Illustrated History of NIMHANS by Dr Sanjeev Jain Atta Galatta, Indiranagar 3 more items available See All Share this event

All (26) General Pages (19) Events (7) Results found for "" General Pages (19) Fullscreen Page | CBM NIMHANS Events | Centre for Brain and Mind (CBM-NIMHANS) Events No events at the moment No upcoming events Past Events 30 March 2024 Exploring Bipolar Disorder Through Art Celebrated each year on March 30th, on the birth anniversary of Vincent Van Gogh (who was posthumously diagnosed with bipolar disorder), World Bipolar Day encourages people to learn what bipolar disorder is - and isn't. Know more 11 March 2024 Talk by Dr. Kenneth S Kendler | Mood Disorders: History, Nosology and Current Genetic Findings Embark on a journey through the forefront of psychiatric genetics with Dr. Kenneth Kendler, a distinguished expert who has expertly unravelled intricate links between genetics, environment, and psychiatric disorders. Know more 15-21 July 2024 Coffee, Cinema and Community: Mental Health Redefined Brain Awareness Week aims to foster public enthusiasm and support for brain science through education and awareness. Our week long program included book talks, art exhibitions, film discussions and learning about the history of NIMHANS, encouraging Bengaluru residents to learn & talk about mental health and neuroscience research. Know more News | CBM NIMHANS In the News 2024-07-24 ‘Understanding how and why people go mad has been a critical aspect of human society’ Dr. Sanjeev Jain, author of Mindscape and Landscape: An Illustrated History of NIMHANS, offered insights into the history of mental health at an event in Bengaluru Know more 2024-07-21 Experts urge sensitive depiction of mental health in films Experts discuss cinema’s impact on mental health at an event in NINMHANS in Bengaluru on Saturday. Know more 2024-03-26 Matters of mind and art The Centre for Brain and Mind at NIMHANS, a research venture launched in 2023, will commemorate World Bipolar Day on March 30 the birthday of the iconic artist Vincent van Gogh, by delving into the captivating fusion of science and art. Know more 2024-03-10 Variations in Bipolar Disorder: Insights from and Treatment Implications in Indian Patients The DBT/Wellcome Trust India welcomed 15 Early Career Fellows this year. This article introduces the research project of Dr. Biju Viswanath, DBT/WT India Alliance Intermediate Fellow in the Clinical and Public Health. Know more 2024-01-21 Pune, now a home to India Science Fest At more than 30 interactive stalls, students can learn about science concepts, including some set up by the industry. The fest also has fun competitions in science photography, science fiction writing, explaining one’s thesis to younger children, with prizes worth Rs 5 lakh. Know more 2023-12-24 NIMHANS-led PARAM research to predict and prevent brain disorders The research will also help the medical fraternity determine the risk factors that contribute to the disorders and the impact of environmental and societal conditions on the development of the human brain. Know more 2023-11-26 Virtual screening of international dementia documentary at NIMHANS fosters... Experts emphasised the critical role of awareness and destigmatisation in addressing the challenges posed by dementia and its contribution to a holistic understanding of dementia and its impact on individuals and communities. Know more 2023-10-10 Mansukh Madaviya inaugurates Centre for Brain and Mind at NIMHANS The Centre for Brain and Mind was launched in collaboration with National Centre for Biological Sciences (NCBS) with the contribution of Rs 100 crore from Rohini Nilekani Philanthropies. Know more 2023-07-04 Rohini Nilekani Centre for Brain and Mind launched at NCBS Bengaluru The centre is an outcome of a ₹100 crore grant to NCBS and NIMHANS for long-term research, and to build capacity for both research and practice in the mental health field Know more Read More View All Events (7) Stories in Motion: Mental Wellness through Art and Narratives by Dr. Ankit Dwivedi 21 July 2024 | 11:30 am 7, 4th Main Rd, Stage 2, Domlur, Bengaluru, Karnataka 560071, India Mental Health & Movies - The Good, The Bad & The Ugly 20 July 2024 | 1:00 pm 7, 4th Main Rd, Stage 2, Domlur, Bengaluru, Karnataka 560071, India "Mindscape and Landscape: An Illustrated History of NIMHANS" by Dr. Sanjeev Jain 17 July 2024 | 10:30 am 178, 5th Main Rd, Indira Nagar 1st Stage, 1st Stage, Indiranagar, Bengaluru, Karnataka 560038, India View All

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