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.

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!

Research Overview

Clinical Assessments

Genetic Studies

Multimodal Neuroimaging

Bioinformatics

Stem Cell Research

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