National Institute of Mental Health and Neuro Sciences (NIMHANS) has been entrusted by the Union government the task to review the ongoing national metal health programme and submit recommendations.

The Institute has also been directed to take up a comprehensive brain research project to tackle disorders such as depression, sleeping disorders, epilepsy and schizophrenia.

According to sources from NIMHANS, the task for undertaking the brain project came up during President APJ Kalam’s visit to the institute during its 10th annual convocation event held recently.

Dr. D Nagaraj director stated that President Kalam asked NIMHANS to aim at preparing a structural and functional map of the human brain and facilitate convergence of all activities pertaining to brain research at the institute.

According to World Health Organisation, brain disorders will be the greatest public health threat in the next few decades.

“A comprehensive human brain project should be taken up with active participation of research institutions including NIMHANS, government agencies, academia and the entire medical fraternity,” said Kalam.

“In this connection NIMHANS should take up the brain research project to determine the co-relation between clinical data and performance of individuals in different activities through structural activities and functional mapping of the human brain,” he added.

Kalam further added that if it is possible to analyse behavioural tendencies and derive an inclination or aptitude patterns of a person through rigorous and extensive research, especially at an early age, it will help the person to opt for that particular field. This will also enable early detection of negative emotions and projection of concealed destructive tendencies in a child which can be set right at early stage itself.

Expressing concern over the growing incidence of HIV cases, President Kalam said, “HIV is emerging as a major healthcare concern. Scientific evidence exists to indicate the relationships between HIV and cognitive functions of the brain like memory and learning.”

Further President Kalam suggested that neuroscientists should address the patho-physiology of cerebral dysfunction in HIV positive cases. “It would be worthwhile to explore the therapeutic potentials of indigenous systems of medicine including herbal medicine to avoid the adverse effects of HIV on neuronal functions.

On treating mentally challenged children, the president wanted NIMHANS to have a vision involving the advances made in multiple disciplines of science and engineering to understand genetic disorders.

On the occasion, 11 postgraduate students of NIMHANS received medals for excelling in their courses. Fifty five students who graduated in 2003-04 were also presented certificates.