About NIMHANS Brain Bank

The Brain Storming Session

The first Human Brain Tissue Repository (HBTR) in India had its origin in a landmark "Brain Storming Session on Neurobiology" held at NIMHANS in October 1985, a confluence of leading neurologists, neurosurgeons, and neuroscientists from across the country.

The deliberations led to an understanding of the critical need to support neuroscience research in the coming decades by establishing a Brain Bank — collecting well annotated brain tissues for research.

Building the Foundation

Through the persistent efforts of Prof. P.N. Tandon — an eminent neurosurgeon and clinical neuroscientist — the concept of "bio-banking" took root at NIMHANS. As the very idea was new to neurologists and neurosurgeons in the country, extensive advocacy and awareness-building was carried out.

Inauguration

The NIMHANS Human Brain Tissue Repository was formally inaugurated in March 1995 by Shri P.G.R. Sindhia, erstwhile Home Minister, Government of Karnataka, in the presence of Dr. S.M. Channabasavanna (Director/Vice-Chancellor, NIMHANS) and Dr. S.K. Shankar (Principal Investigator).

This made NIMHANS home to the first Human Brain Bank in India — a nationally significant milestone for neuroscience research.

Formative Years

For the first five years, this National Research Facility was jointly funded by the Department of Science and Technology (DST), Department of Biotechnology (DBT), and the Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR).

Strong Footing — ICMR Network

From March 2000, NIMHANS took over support for the Brain Bank, providing dedicated infrastructure, space, and human resources. Today, the NIMHANS Brain Bank serves as the nodal centre of ICMR Brain Bank Network in India, setting up satellite Brain Banks at AIIMS Bhubaneswar and PGIMER Chandigarh with training, harmonised protocols, and a centralised database.