CALM Brain Repository is transforming mental health research in India. Researchers at the Rohini Nilekani Centre for Brain and Mind (CBM), a collaboration between NIMHANS and NCBS-TIFR, have developed this advanced digital platform. It brings together important brain data to study neuropsychiatric disorders in a better way.

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What is CALM Brain Repository

The CALM Brain Repository is India’s first digital database focused on brain structure and function in mental health conditions. It started in 2016 under the ADBS (Accelerator program for Discovery in Brain Disorders using Stem Cells). The project is supported by the Department of Biotechnology and the Pratiksha Trust, showing strong backing for brain research.

Data Collection and Coverage

The repository combines different types of data to give a complete picture of brain disorders. It includes clinical records, brain imaging, behaviour patterns, and genetic details. The CALM Brain Repository mainly studies five major disorders:

Addiction
Bipolar disorder
Dementia
Obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD)
Schizophrenia

This wide data collection helps researchers understand how these disorders affect the brain.

Why CALM Brain Repository Matters

The main aim of the CALM Brain Repository is to improve understanding of how mental illnesses begin and develop. By studying detailed brain data, scientists can find patterns and causes of these disorders. The platform is open source, which allows doctors and researchers to work together and speed up new discoveries.

Impact on Healthcare

The CALM Brain Repository can improve diagnosis and treatment of mental health conditions. Doctors can track how diseases progress and identify symptoms earlier. It also helps in creating personalised treatment plans for patients. This approach supports better mental healthcare and promotes precision medicine in India.