In a major development for mental health research in India, the CALM‑Brain — the country’s first comprehensive digital repository of data on major psychiatric disorders — was officially launched recently in Bengaluru. This initiative marks a significant step forward in systematically collecting, storing and analysing brain‑related clinical information, which experts hope will transform understanding and treatment of mental illnesses.
The repository was developed by neuroscientists working at the Rohini Nilekani Centre for Brain and Mind (CBM) — a collaborative research partnership between the National Institute of Mental Health and Neuro Sciences (NIMHANS) and the National Centre for Biological Sciences (NCBS)‑TIFR — with support from the Rohini Nilekani Philanthropies. The launch event at NIMHANS was attended by clinicians, researchers and academicians associated with the project.
What is CALM‑Brain?
CALM‑Brain is a digital, multi‑modal repository containing detailed data on brain structure and function from individuals with major psychiatric disorders. It includes clinical information, neuro‑imaging scans, behavioural records, genetic profiles and other biological datasets. Currently, it holds data from more than 2,000 participants from 900 families.
The repository focuses on five major psychiatric conditions: addiction, bipolar disorder, dementia, obsessive‑compulsive disorder (OCD) and schizophrenia. By combining diverse types of biological and clinical data, researchers aim to understand how these disorders begin, progress and affect brain function — knowledge that could lead to better diagnosis and personalised treatment strategies.
Another innovative aspect of CALM‑Brain is its linkage to a biorepository of stem cells. Scientists can use these stem cells to conduct biological research aimed at uncovering the mechanisms underlying severe mental illnesses, which could accelerate development of new therapies.
Why it matters:
Traditionally, major psychiatric studies have been limited in scope — often focusing on single disorders, single types of data or populations outside South Asia. CALM‑Brain addresses these gaps by providing comprehensive and family‑based data from Indian participants, enabling more nuanced research that reflects the region’s unique genetic and social context.
According to estimates cited by researchers, mental health conditions already account for substantial economic loss in India, and about 10.6 % of Indian adults are affected by some form of mental illness. The CALM‑Brain initiative is expected to play a vital role in reducing this burden by improving scientific understanding and supporting more effective mental healthcare solutions.