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Patient and Public Involvement & Engagement At the Centre for Brain and Mind, NIMHANS (CBM-NIMHANS), Public and Patient Involvement and Engagement (PPIE) shapes how we think about research, communication, and public dialogue on mental illnesses. Our work is informed by the understanding that knowledge in this field is produced not only through laboratories, clinics, and publications, but also through lived experience, community interaction, and everyday encounters with care and stigma. What is PPIE? Patient and public involvement and engagement is a research practice where people with lived experience (PwLE) of health conditions (patients), their caregivers, members of the public and communities work together with scientists at every stage of research. Rather than research being done about people, it is done with and for them. Within the Indian context of mental illness - where silence, hierarchy, and unequal access continue to influence who is heard - PPIE offers ways to engage more inclusively. Who can be involved? You don’t need any research background to get involved, and it’s not just for people with a mental health condition. Caregivers, family members, and others in the community all have valuable perspectives to share. Persons with lived experience (PwLE) of a mental illness Family members of PwLE Caregivers of PwLE People from communities & organisations that support PwLE Who does PPIE benefit & how? Involving patients and the public in research has multiple benefits for both researchers and those involved - Better quality of research More relevant research goals Brings real-world perspective to theoretical problems Increases accessibility to researchers and their work Provides accountability to the public If you’re a member of the public interested in PPIE If you are a patient, caregiver, or member of the public who is interested in joining the CBM-NIMHANS PPIE community, fill out our registration form here . If you’re a researcher interested in PPIE To learn more about our PPIE work or to explore potential collaborations, please email us at cbm.nimhans@gmail.com Resources UK Standards for Public Involvement Involving People Patient & Public Involvement Resources - PenARC PPIE Resources for Researchers - NIHR Newcastle Learning for Involvement - NIHR

The Centre for Brain and Mind (CBM-NIMHANS) focuses on supporting research on five mental disorders — schizophrenia, bipolar disorder, addiction, obsessive-compulsive disorder & dementia. The centre employs several tools & techniques to understand the complexities of brain & mind conditions. This is a collaborative effort of the National Institute for Mental Health and Neurosciences (NIMHANS) & the National Centre for Biological Sciences (NCBS), supported by Rohini Nilekani Philanthropies. About Us Welcome What's New Research Participate Events Opportunities Rohini Nilekani Centre for Brain and Mind About Us The Centre for Brain and Mind is a collaborative, premier research centre focused on supporting research on five mental disorders — schizophrenia, bipolar disorder, addiction, obsessive-compulsive disorder and dementia. With a partnership between the National Institute of Mental Health and Neurosciences (NIMHANS) and the National Centre for Biological Sciences (NCBS), the centre employs several tools & techniques to understand the complexities of brain and mind conditions. Learn More About Us New at CBM-NIMHANS In The News | Decoding mental illness: Beyond single causes, stigma, and genetic fate Much of what we know about mental illnesses comes from Western populations. This has transformed our understanding of illnesses, but raises an important question — are these findings universal? New publication! Evaluation of curcumin as an exploratory pharmacological tool for modulating dysregulated molecular pathways in cellular models of Huntington’s disease New publication! Clinical correlates of APOE ε4 homozygosity in Alzheimer’s dementia: findings from an Indian cohort In The News | Temperament, childhood adversity may offer clues to psychiatric vulnerability: NIMHANS study The researchers examined four broad dimensions of adult temperament negative affectivity, extraversion/surgency, effortful control and orienting sensitivity - along with adverse childhood experiences New publication! Gaze fixation stability is a transdiagnostic marker of major psychiatric disorders: A high-density family-based study Deadline extended! Good news - we are extending the application deadline for the Youth LEARN fellowship at CBM-NIMHANS! Submit your application by 5th September 2026, 11:59 PM. New publication! Genetics and epigenetics in tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-α) and transmembrane 6 superfamily member 2 (TM6SF2) in alcohol induced liver cirrhosis New publication! Including lived experience voices in science communication to combat mental illness stigma: insights from India The Brain and Mind Dispatch - Issue 1 out now! New publication! Expression patterns of risk genes associated with three evolutionarily relevant syndromes in rhesus macaque and human brains CALM-Brain was launched on March 25th 2026 To learn more about the launch, visit our News section. Check out the database here: http://calm-brain.ncbs.res.in/ How I Got Here | The Dichotomy of Science: “Mind the Gap” Science is often described as flowing from discovery to clinic. Biju Viswanath’s current ran the other way. Dr Reeteka Sud awarded the PGRN–Myriad Research Grant 2025! Clozapine is a therapeutically superior antipsychotic for treatment-resistant schizophrenia (TRS). This project is designed to investigate the utility of patients’ genomic variants, in combination with their clinical and cellular data, to identify the basis of clozapine response in TRS. Career Development Fellowship Awardee - Dr Kalyani B Karunakaran Congratulations to Dr Kalyani B Karunakaran for being awarded the Career Development Fellowship at CBM-NIMHANS! Dr Karunakaran's work focuses on the molecular mechanisms underlying cross-disorder relationships & psychiatric drugs with cross-disorder effects. Join us at Manotsava 2025! Manotsava, India's largest mental health festival, returns to Bengaluru on November 8-9, 2025 at the Lalit Ashok! Get involved in research! We're bringing together scientists, clinicians, members of the public, individuals with lived experiences and their caregivers to talk about our research in psychiatric and neurological illnesses. A Cerebellar Paradox Offers Clues in SCA12 Research Our new paper unveils a fascinating paradox: the brain region most vulnerable in SCA12 appears surprisingly resilient. New publication! CAG Repeat Instability and Region-Specific Gene Expression Changes in the SCA12 Brain Welcome to our incoming batch of Ph.D. students! (L-R) Manasadeepika, Shama, Chandrakanta, Blossom, Joyce, Lakshmi, Shweta Our e-book is out now! "MIND: The Gap" blends research, personal stories, and insights from our events to explore mental health holistically. Through the Looking Glass Art Exhibition Visit our art exhibition, running at the NIMHANS Heritage Museum from Oct-Nov 2024 in celebration of World Mental Health Day! Welcome to our incoming batch of Ph.D. students! (L-R) Deepankan, Shrinkhala, Pannaga (Not pictured) Rashmi, Blossom Coffee, Cinema and Community: Mental Health Redefined | July 15 - 21, 2024 From book talks to film discussions, and art exhibitions to storytelling workshops - let's talk about mental health, Bengaluru! New publication alert! Exploring the genetics of lithium response in bipolar disorders Dr Suhas G awarded 2024 Society of Biological Psychiatry Travel Fellowship Award Our Research Groups Clinical Group Endophenotype Group Genetics & Stem Cell Group Patients undergo extensive clinical investigations, including neuroimaging and neuropsychological assessments at regular intervals as part of a longitudinal study Learn More Advances in stem cell technology allow us to investigate specific molecular mechanisms underlying neuropsychiatric disorders and offer insights into genetic variations and their effects on neuronal functioning in neural cell models. Learn More Endophenotypic clues derived from various assessments enhance the reliability of research on brain function by offering insights into genetic factors of a psychiatric disorder Learn More Do you want to participate in our research studies? Click here to learn more Register now! Upcoming Events 4 days to the event Perspectives of Obsessive Compulsive Disorder - Zine Making Workshop Sat, 31 Oct 31 Oct 2026, 2:00 pm – 5:00 pm NIMHANS Centre for Well - Being, 53, 19, 9th Main Rd, KEB Colony, New Gurappana Palya, 1st Stage, BTM 1st Stage, Bengaluru, Karnataka 560029, India Come be part of an interactive space for dialogue and creative expression with persons with lived experience (PwLE), caregivers, NIMHANS representatives, and the public to explore addiction beyond stigma and substance use, and the people who are so much more than it. Learn more Blog The Gap Between Knowing & Belonging 2 min read Hey fellow-first-timers! 2 min read A Cerebellar Paradox Offers Clues in SCA12 Research 2 min read Unveiling Perspectives: World Bipolar Day Recap 5 min read Opportunities 1) Attenders - 2 positions 2) Research Technician 3) Clinical Post-Doctoral Fellow (equivalent to Senior Resident - Psychiatry) 4) Bioinformatician Contact

Filter by type of resource Rome Berlin Paris People of CBM NIMHANS Team NCBS Investigators NCBS Staff Our diverse team comprises passionate individuals from various academic backgrounds, united in our pursuit of cutting-edge research. From seasoned clinicians to budding researchers, we foster innovation and are committed to accelerating our understanding of the brain and mind. How We Work Together Filter by team Admin Team Clinical Team Co-Investigator Team Communication Team Data Centre Team Doctoral Candidate Investigator Team Lab Team MRI/EEG Team Support Team Filter by project A-BIG-NET CBM DBT/IA Lithium GENMETSZ GenECT MGL MQ Abirami Baskaran Laboratory Manager Aina Kurian Psychiatric Social Worker (Research), Doctoral Student Aishwarya Raj Post Doctoral Fellow Akash D K Research Nurse/Technical Research Assistant Akshaya Ganesh Junior Research Fellow Alagarsami A R Psychiatric Social Worker Almas M Project Associate Amirtha Varshini Project Associate Amrutha Gunda Clinical Project Associate Anukrishnan G D Technician (EEG, Psychophysics) Anushka Banerjee Scientific Development & Communication Officer Arulmozhi Balakrishnan Research Technician Ashim Paul Deb Project Scientist B (Non- Medical) Bhargavi MH Technician (EEG, Psychophysics) Bhramaramba Data Entry Operator Bindu T R Research Technician Blossom Fernandes Junior Research Fellow (Neuroimaging for ANC) Chandrakanta S Hiremath Clinical Psychologist (Research) Charishma S Technician (EEG/Psychophysics) Chhavi Thakur Clinical Project Associate Chitra Kadu Human Resource Manager Deepankan Chakarborty Junior Research Fellow (Neuroimaging - ADBS Data Centre) Deepthi R Laboratory Technician Devika P P Research Technician Dhanush C Project Office Assistant Load More

Stigma remains a stubborn barrier to mental healthcare, but what happens when we examine stigma within the very field that seeks to understand mental health? Psychiatric genetics occupies a sensitive position, shaped by complex public conversations around heredity, neurodiversity, genetic risk, and the field’s historical entanglement with eugenics. A new study by the International Society of Psychiatric Genetics (ISPG)’s Stigma Special Interest Group (SIG) takes a step towards self-reflection by asking researchers and clinicians in this field how they perceive and experience mental health stigma within their professional community. The anonymous survey received 122 responses from individuals at various career stages and professional roles. Overall, respondents were optimistic about the potential of psychiatric genetics to challenge stigma: 67% felt their work helps reduce it. In comparison, 90% agreed that researchers should consider the potential impact of stigma when communicating their findings. Nearly half felt that psychiatric genetics itself is subject to public stigma. Importantly, the findings suggest that scientific knowledge does not automatically translate into greater understanding or acceptance. Researchers with lived experience highlight this tension more clearly. Almost 40% of respondents reported living with a mental health diagnosis, and among this group, decisions about disclosure were often shaped by concerns about judgment, privacy, and potential professional consequences. Workplace stigma was reported within the psychiatric genetics community, including dismissive or stigmatising language and assumptions that people with mental health conditions may be weak, unreliable, or less capable. Nearly one-third of respondents also reported avoiding certain research topics due to stigma-related concerns, suggesting that stigma can influence not only how research is received but also what questions researchers feel comfortable asking. Perceived challenges for individuals in academia with lived-experience of a mental health condition. On a hopeful note, many respondents felt that stigma within the field had reduced over the past decade, citing, in addition to scientific advances, greater openness about mental health, increasing presence of lived-experience voices in research and conferences, and broader societal shifts towards mental health awareness. Researchers called for clearer and more accessible communication of genetic findings, avoiding deterministic interpretations and emphasising that genetic risk does not equal destiny. They also highlighted the need for creating safe spaces for disclosure of a mental health diagnosis, promoting inclusive practices in mentoring and hiring, and building flexible and supportive academic environments. Ultimately, the study offers an important reminder to a field intertwined so closely with stigma: knowledge alone cannot dissolve stigma. Reducing it requires conscious attention to language, workplace culture, research practices and whose voices are included in shaping the science. The featured paper "Mental Health Stigma in Psychiatric Genetics: Insights and Recommendations From the ISPG Member Survey on Stigma" is co-authored by Dr Reeteka Sud, Senior Scientist at CBM-NIMHANS. Read the full paper here

We’ve heard that a healthy mind makes for a healthy body - but let’s be honest: we are always trying to keep both well. I like to call us first-timers, because we’re doing this life for the first time. Every experience and encounter is uniquely tailored. Whether we handle it gracefully or hastily depends on how well we’ve trained ourselves for it. Hey! Not saying you should be ready for a bullet at any given moment, but how well we receive and deal with it is what matters. While most of the population agrees that a healthy mind is something we all deserve in order to live this life, some people still wonder whether mental health and wellness are marketed to simply attract consumers. It is seen as a luxury or a premium service. Honestly? I can’t blame them! As much as we have made people aware of mental health, we have not yet made it accessible to them. The recent awareness boom could have also ignited this thought among people. The hope is that it reaches people in power and is made affordable and accessible for larger crowds across the nation. That said - Are you wondering if you should take help? Healing Blooms by Jhilik Paul While there is no straightforward answer, it is encouraged that you take it, but it’s also a personal choice. If you have experienced a negative occurrence at any point in life, been hard on yourself for taking a leap, or even because something did not work out the way you wanted it, and that has left you feeling persistently sad, angry, disturbed, anxious, or irritated, it might be your sign to speak up. Ever since we were kids, we have been discouraged from thinking about negative outcomes, let alone negative experiences. So, when life presents us with a bitter event, we tend to stumble. It doesn’t mean you’re not allowed to feel your feelings, but a healthy balance is what we are trying to achieve here. Why is it important to seek help? When you don’t learn to cope with your emotions, you may easily fall into habits harmful to both yourself and the people around you. If left unaddressed, emotional distress may also contribute to long-term health challenges. Mental health conditions can arise from a combination of life experiences, biological factors, and genetic influences. You might start seeing signs in your body as well, because a healthy mind is truly important for a healthy body. This is why it is important to build healthy coping mechanisms and seek support. When should you consider taking help? For many mental health conditions, symptoms first emerge during adolescence and early adulthood. If you catch yourself struggling to perform well or falling behind more than usual, therapy can help you manage yourself better. There is nothing wrong with choosing to go to therapy. It’s like working out in a gym, but for your mental well-being! As Mental Health Awareness month wraps up, I want to remind you to be aware of your mental health and pay attention to your state of mind. Indeed, we all deserve a healthy inner well-being to face the world outside. Also - remember to be kind to your fellow first-timers!

Genetic stutters echo through the brain, but their impact is far from uniform. A surprising resilience in the cerebellum is rewriting our understanding of SCA12's complex pathology. (L-R) Dr Meera Purushottam, Senior Consultant & Shreevidya Parthaje, PhD Scholar, Molecular Genetics Lab, Department of Psychiatry, National Institute of Mental Health and Neurosciences, Bengaluru (NIMHANS) A recent study published in The Cerebellum  by Dr Meera Purushottam’s team at the Molecular Genetics Laboratory, NIMHANS, Bengaluru has unveiled significant regional variations in the molecular pathology of Spinocerebellar ataxia type 12 (SCA12), a debilitating neurological disorder, caused by an expansion of repetitive CAG sequences in the PPP2R2B  gene. Imagine DNA as a long, intricate sentence. In SCA12, a particular word – CAG – is repeated far more often than it should. This "stutter," or expansion, is associated with the disease. But is the length of this stutter consistent throughout the brain? Researchers used DNA obtained from the  post-mortem brain donation of a patient diagnosed with SCA12. The study examined CAG repeat length, gene expression, and DNA methylation patterns across multiple brain regions. What they discovered was a dramatic difference in the stability of these CAG repeats. Some brain cells have longer CAG repeats than others. Surprisingly, the DNA from cerebellum (the brain region primarily responsible for coordination and balance), showed the least degree of CAG expansion and somatic instability. Is this tissue extra resilient? Researchers found that the cerebellum seemed to be employing a sort of molecular defence. They observed decreased PPP2R2B  gene expression and increased DNA methylation within this region. Interestingly, the cerebellum also exhibited high expression of genes involved in DNA maintenance and repair pathways. This implies enhanced mechanisms within the cerebellum, to perhaps prevent slippage and restrict CAG expansion errors. The study also examined the expression of genes involved in cell cycle regulation and found altered expression patterns. These disruptions may contribute to the hallmark neuronal loss and cell death seen in neurodegenerative diseases.  This study highlights a complex interplay between CAG repeat instability, gene expression and cellular processes in SCA12, indicating the importance of studying regional differences in molecular pathology. Future research can focus on drugs that enhance DNA repair or promote repeat stability. While SCA12 remains a challenging condition, these findings offer new hope and a deeper understanding of the brain's hidden battle against this devastating disorder. Access the full publication here: CAG Repeat Instability and Region-Specific Gene Expression Changes in the SCA12 Brain