Dataset to be launched on Sunday, 15 December; project started as a way to understand human intelligence to fine-tune AI.
Published Dec 14, 2024 | 7:00 AM ⚊ Updated Dec 14, 2024 | 7:00 AM
representative pic
Imagine we could peek into the brain while it’s still developing, uncovering the mysteries of intelligence, memory, and emotion — what would we learn?
What if that knowledge could help millions of children diagnosed with autism or learning disabilities, and adults struggling with depression, bipolar disorder, Parkinson’s, or Alzheimer’s?
IIT-Madras has taken a bold step to answer these questions, unveiling the most detailed 3D atlas of the human fetal brain ever created.
Using technology that is home-grown, researchers have crafted over 5,000 high-resolution images from fetal brains just 14 to 24 weeks old, offering an unprecedented view of how the human mind begins to form.
“These brain slices, each just 20 microns thick — less than half the width of a human hair — reveal unprecedented detail of the organ that governs thought, emotion, and movement. The achievement, developed at a fraction of the cost typical in Western research, places India at the forefront of global neuroscience,” said a release from the IIT-Madras’s Sudha Gopalakrishnan Brain Centre.
This revolutionary dataset, called ‘DHARANI,’ was developed at a fraction of the cost of similar projects in advanced nations, underscoring India’s growing leadership in cutting-edge neuroscience.
This isn’t just a scientific triumph — it has life-changing potential for millions.
From decoding developmental disorders like autism to advancing treatment for Parkinson’s and Alzheimer’s, this work puts India on the global map for brain research while addressing pressing healthcare challenges at home.
The researchers from IIT-Madras used the brains of five stillborns in the second trimester; that is, at 14,17,21,22 and 24 weeks of pregnancy.
The brains were frozen and thinly sliced using complex robotic instrumentation.
These thin, transparent slices were then stained and microscopically imaged in great detail. The digital images were then put together to create a 3D map – providing a rare insight into the inside of the fetal brain.
“This is the closest we’ve ever come to seeing the brain in such intricate detail,” said Prof. Mohanasankar Sivaprakasam, Head of IIT-Madras’ Sudha Gopalakrishnan Brain Centre.
The center’s work, supported by public and private partnerships, produced this 3D atlas at nearly one-tenth the cost of similar efforts like the Allen Brain Atlas, which required $150–200 million compared to India’s $15 million.
Commenting on how the idea was envisioned, Prof Sivaprakasm says, the idea for such a project emerged in 2015, during discussions with IIT Madras alumnus and Infosys co-founder Kris Gopalakrishnan.
His vision extended beyond medical advancements, suggesting that understanding human intelligence could also revolutionise artificial intelligence (AI) and machine learning.
“To build better AI, we must first comprehend intelligence from a human perspective,” Gopalakrishnan explained.
The implications of this atlas are immense. By mapping brain regions with unprecedented accuracy, the dataset, called ‘DHARANI,’ is expected to transform how we understand and treat conditions like Parkinson’s, Alzheimer’s, and strokes.
It will also aid early diagnosis of developmental disorders, ensuring better outcomes for millions of children worldwide.
For researchers, DHARANI provides an open-source dataset — freely accessible to anyone globally.
The atlas, which marks over 500 distinct brain regions, has already been accepted for publication in the Journal of Comparative Neurology, a peer-reviewed journal with a 132-year legacy.
Dr Suzana Herculano-Houzel, the journal’s editor-in-chief, praised the effort, calling it “the largest publicly accessible digital dataset of the human fetal brain,”
The project involved processing over 200 brains of various ages and conditions, with at least 70 converted into cellular-resolution digital volumes.
The center’s high-throughput imaging platform enables researchers to view and analyse these brains with incredible clarity.
“This dataset isn’t just a scientific achievement — it’s a step forward for humanity,” Prof. Sivaprakasam explained.
“By making the atlas open source, we hope to accelerate discoveries in neuroscience and improve treatments worldwide.”
The Sudha Gopalakrishnan Brain Centre’s innovation extends beyond fetal research. It aims to create a global repository of brain data across life stages, from infancy to old age, and conditions like dementia and strokes.
This repository, powered by cutting-edge technology, provides a foundation for breakthroughs in medical science, AI, and machine learning.
India’s contribution to brain science is now etched into the global narrative. With DHARANI, we’re not just observing the human brain — we’re beginning to understand it in ways that will shape the future of medicine, technology, and human potential, explained Prof Sivaprakasam.
Speaking to South First, Dr Sudhir Kumar renowned neurologist at Apollo Hospitals in Telangana says 3D High-Resolution images of the fetal brain would be a source of valuable information for those involved in caring for neurological disorders as well as those engaged in neuroscience-related research.
“These images would help in better understanding of developmental disorders, learning disability, hypoxic-ischemic brain damage, epilepsy, and other inherited brain disorders, which are more common in neonates, infants, children and adolescents,” Dr Sudhir added.
He said the fact that these images are available in the public domain is an excellent initiative, which could lower the cost of future research and innovation in neuroscience.
The centre will release the most detailed 3D High-resolution images of the human fetal brain as an online resource–DHARANI on Sunday in Bengaluru at Science Gallery.
Early detection of developmental disorders:
Enables identification of conditions like autism, ADHD, and learning disabilities during pregnancy, paving the way for timely intervention
Advancement in Neurological disease treatments
Provides insights into diseases like Parkinson’s, Alzheimer’s, depression, epilepsy, and bi-polar disorder, aiding the development of targeted therapies.
Improved prenatal care
Enhances fetal imaging technologies, allowing doctors to monitor brain development and address potential issues earlier.
Global reference for neuroscience
Serves as a comprehensive open-source resource for researchers worldwide, advancing studies on brain structure and function.
Puts India at the forefront of neuroscience; showcasing the country’s capabilities in advanced brain mapping technology.
Cost-effective innovation
Demonstrates that high-impact research can be achieved at a fraction of the cost compared to Western projects, benefiting global science.
Revolutionising Artificial Intelligence
Insights from human brain development could improve machine learning algorithms and inspire next-generation AI systems. ,
(Edited by Rosamma Thomas).
