IIT Madras hosts first BRICS neuroscience symposium in India

The Indian Institute of Technology Madras (IIT Madras) hosted the 3rd BRICS Neuroscience Symposium 2026 from June 5 to 7, the first such event in India. Organized by the Sudha Gopalakrishnan Brain Centre (SGBC) under the theme 'Expanding Neuroscience: BRICS & Extended Nations,' the symposium brought together neuroscientists, clinicians, and researchers from BRICS countries and partner nations to foster collaboration in neuroscience research and neuro-technologies. A key highlight was the release of the Human Brainstem Atlas by SGBC, a significant contribution to global neuroscience. The three-day event featured scientific sessions, keynote lectures, and discussions on brain organization, neurological diseases, and emerging technologies in brain research. Cultural events were also part of the program, reflecting the interdisciplinary nature of neuroscience. Attendees included Foreign Secretary Vikram Misri, Principal Scientific Adviser to the Government of India Professor Ajay Kumar Sood, IIT Madras Director Professor V Kamakoti, and Infosys co-founder Kris Gopalakrishnan. Misri emphasized the importance of international collaboration in addressing complex challenges and noted that India’s BRICS chairmanship would leverage discussions from the symposium for the September summit. Professor Mohanasankar Sivaprakasam, Head of SGBC, stated that neuroscience requires cross-disciplinary and cross-country cooperation to solve complex problems. The symposium aimed to expand SGBC’s international research network and strengthen scientific partnerships across institutions. Earlier BRICS neuroscience meetings were held in Shanghai (2023) and Moscow (2024), focusing on research, training, and technology development. Established in March 2022, SGBC conducts human brain research and develops neuroscience technologies. The symposium built on past collaborations to promote knowledge sharing and collaborative research, aligning with India’s goals as the BRICS chair.