IIT Madras Reveals World’s First High-Resolution 3D Images of the Human Fetal Brain

Breaking new ground in neuroscience, the Indian Institute of Technology Madras (IIT Madras) has released the world’s most detailed 3D high-resolution images of the human fetal brain. This landmark achievement was spearheaded by researchers at the Sudha Gopalakrishnan Brain Centre using advanced brain mapping technology.

“For the first time in the world, 5,132 brain sections were digitally imaged at cell-resolution using cutting-edge Brain Mapping Technology…This pioneering work from the Sudha Gopalakrishnan Brain Centre of IIT Madras pushes the frontiers of Brain Mapping Technology and places India in the global league of brain mapping science as this is first-of-its-kind work anywhere in the world,” the institute stated.

A Global Contribution to Neuroscience

The research findings have been accepted for publication in the Journal of Comparative Neurology, a prestigious peer-reviewed journal in systems neuroscience. Additionally, the dataset, named ‘Dharani,’ has been made freely available to researchers worldwide, aiming to advance the field of neuroscience and aid in developing treatments for brain-related health conditions.

IIT Madras emphasized the significance of this accomplishment, stating, “This monumental work is the first time such advanced human neuroscience data has been produced from India. The project was done at less than 1/10th of the costs in western countries.”

Collaborative Effort Across Nations

The groundbreaking research was led by Professor Mohanasankar Sivaprakasam, head of the IIT Madras Brain Centre. It involved a multidisciplinary team from IIT Madras, as well as researchers from India, Australia, the US, Romania, and South Africa. Collaborations with Mediscan Systems and Saveetha Medical College Hospital in Chennai also played a vital role.

Impact on Neuroscience and Healthcare

This achievement is especially significant for India, which accounts for nearly one-fifth of the world’s childbirths—approximately 25 million annually, according to UNICEF.

The institute highlighted the potential applications of this work:

• Understanding brain development from the fetal stage to adulthood.
• Identifying developmental disorders such as learning disabilities and autism.
• Enabling further research into neurological health and disorders.

The groundbreaking research by IIT Madras not only advances India’s contribution to global neuroscience but also provides valuable insights into brain development and potential therapies for related conditions.