IIT Madras Hosts 3rd BRICS Neuroscience Symposium 2026, Strengthening Global Brain Research Collaboration
International Neuroscience Experts Gather in Chennai to Advance Brain Research, Neurotechnologies, and Healthcare Innovation
inn/chennai,@infodeaofficial
Chennai, June 8, 2026: The Indian Institute of Technology Madras (IIT Madras) successfully hosted the 3rd BRICS Neuroscience Symposium 2026 from June 5 to June 7, bringing together leading neuroscientists, clinicians, researchers, and academicians from BRICS nations and extended partner countries. Held in India for the first time, the symposium marked a significant milestone in fostering international cooperation in neuroscience research and neurotechnology development.
Organized by the Sudha Gopalakrishnan Brain Centre (SGBC), IIT Madras, the three-day event was themed “Expanding Neuroscience: BRICS & Extended Nations” and served as a global platform for knowledge exchange, scientific collaboration, and discussions on emerging trends in brain science.
Strengthening BRICS Collaboration in Neuroscience
The symposium focused on enhancing collaborative research among BRICS nations to accelerate advancements in understanding the human brain, developing innovative neurotechnologies, and addressing neurological disorders affecting millions worldwide.
The event featured keynote addresses, scientific sessions, panel discussions, clinical perspective talks, cultural programs, and the highly anticipated release of the Human Brainstem Atlas, a major milestone in neuroscience research developed by SGBC.
Distinguished guests included Shri Vikram Misri, Foreign Secretary of India; Prof. Ajay Kumar Sood, Principal Scientific Adviser to the Government of India; Prof. V. Kamakoti, Director of IIT Madras; Shri Kris Gopalakrishnan, Co-founder of Infosys; and delegates representing BRICS member nations.
Global Scientific Cooperation Essential for Future Challenges
Addressing the gathering, Foreign Secretary Shri Vikram Misri emphasized the importance of international scientific collaboration in solving complex global challenges.
He highlighted that as the world faces increasingly interconnected problems, collaborative platforms such as BRICS provide opportunities for developing economies and emerging markets to combine expertise, resources, and innovation to create impactful solutions.
Misri also noted that India’s BRICS Chairmanship in 2026 further strengthens opportunities for scientific cooperation and knowledge sharing among member nations ahead of the BRICS Summit scheduled later this year.
SGBC Emerges as a Model for Collaborative Innovation
Speaking virtually, Principal Scientific Adviser Prof. Ajay Kumar Sood praised the Sudha Gopalakrishnan Brain Centre for its multidisciplinary and multinational approach to research.
He described SGBC as a successful example of collaboration among government agencies, academic institutions, industry leaders, and philanthropic organizations, creating a sustainable ecosystem for long-term scientific innovation.
Prof. Mohanasankar Sivaprakasam, Head of SGBC at IIT Madras, emphasized that solving complex neuroscience challenges requires multidisciplinary teams and strong international partnerships.
Human Brainstem Atlas Released
One of the major highlights of the symposium was the release of the Human Brainstem Atlas, a significant scientific resource expected to support advanced research into brain structure, function, and neurological diseases.
The atlas is part of SGBC’s ongoing efforts to develop comprehensive human brain mapping technologies using cutting-edge imaging systems capable of capturing brain structures at cellular resolution.
Scientific Sessions Covered Emerging Neuroscience Frontiers
The symposium’s scientific program addressed several critical areas of neuroscience, including:
- Human brain organization and connectivity
- Neural function in health and disease
- Developmental neuroscience
- Comparative neuroscience across model systems
- Artificial intelligence and neurotechnology applications
- Advanced brain imaging and data science
- Translational neuroscience and clinical research
These discussions encouraged interdisciplinary collaboration and opened new pathways for joint research projects among participating countries.
IIT Madras Showcases World-Class Brain Mapping Capabilities
The event also highlighted the advanced capabilities of the Sudha Gopalakrishnan Brain Centre, which operates one of the world’s leading high-throughput multimodal whole-brain imaging pipelines.
The facility enables researchers to create detailed maps of the human brain at cellular-level resolution, supporting breakthroughs in neuroscience, precision medicine, and neurological healthcare.
Continuing the BRICS Neuroscience Momentum
The Chennai symposium built upon the success of previous BRICS Neuroscience Symposia held in Shanghai (2023) and Moscow (2024). These international forums have played a crucial role in expanding multilateral cooperation in neuroscience research, capacity building, scientific training, and technology development.
As neuroscience becomes increasingly important in addressing neurological disorders and improving healthcare outcomes, the BRICS Neuroscience Symposium continues to serve as a vital platform for fostering global partnerships and accelerating scientific discovery.
India Strengthens Its Position in Global Neuroscience Research
By hosting the 3rd BRICS Neuroscience Symposium, IIT Madras has reinforced India’s growing leadership in neuroscience research and innovation. The event demonstrated the country’s commitment to advancing international scientific cooperation while contributing to the development of transformative neurotechnologies that can benefit society worldwide.
With initiatives like SGBC and increasing collaboration among BRICS nations, India is emerging as a key contributor to the future of global brain research and neurological healthcare.