Scientists urged for white space analysis and ethical practices in research and publication

Chandigarh November 13, 2019

University Institute of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Panjab University has organized a one-week (10-17 Nov), 4^th IBRO/APRCChandigarh Neuroscience School funded by International Brain Research Organization, to commemorate its Platinum Jubilee year. Forty-five delegates are attending the event and fourteen renowned national and international neuroscientists are giving scientific deliberations. Today, four of them interacted with the delegates highlighting the importance of rightful living. They also sensitized the delegates on rising epidemics of neurodegenerative diseases arising due to stressful life, wrong ways of living, nuclear family and ignorance about stress management practicing.

Dr Pike See Universiti Putra Malaysia delivered a highly interactive talk on autosomal dominant disease, tuberous sclerosis complex which is a tumor suppressor syndrome due to mutations in TSC1 or TSC2, encoding hamartin and tuberin, respectively. She then emphasized on how gene manipulations and its strategy can translated into a novel gene therapy.

Dr Laxmi T Rao Professor of Neurophysiology, NIMHANS, Bangalore enlightened the gathering about Autism spectrum disorder (ASD), a devastating childhood neurodevelopmental disorder with a range of symptoms related to social-communication deficits and restricted stereotypic behavior. She informed that child abuse and insult lead to effective disorders in adulthood giving symptoms of depression, anxiety and schizophrenia. It is very important for the working parents to train the next generation in a positive atmosphere provide good nutrition, allow them to grow them in normal behaviour and channelize children into focused life.  

Dr KP  Mohanakumar, Director Inter University Centre for Biomedical Research & Super Specialty Hospital MG University Kottayam, Kerala cited two successful stories from his laboratory on neurodegenerative disease research, with special attention to Parkinson’s disease. He discussed how white space analysis in 2004 helped to reveal neuroprotective effect of then to be of patented antiulcer drug, irsogladine in Parkinson’s disease. He also highlighted that the problem of the brain which is coming up very fast these days, has to be identified at a young stage, the child grows into an Autistic child. The social system in India which is now moving towards the nuclear family, leaving the child alone with the made is leading to autism.

Dr. Dr B.S. Shankaranarayana Rao, Professor of Neurophysiology, National Institute of Mental Health and Neuro Sciences, Bengaluru, sensitized the young budding neuroscientists with the various aspects, related to ethics in scientific research and publication. He said that with changing technology and society, and the way we live, scientists can no longer claim that science is neutral but must consider the ethical and social aspects of their work and urged the participants to abide by several core principles of ethics. He informed that they have Centre for Well Being where the counselling is given to the whole family and also, to the Corporate Heads. He cited urbanization and stress as a major reason of all the problems of society. He advised that in order to reduce stress the professional problems should be dissociated from the family. The quality time matters for a stress free family. He shared about national mental health survey which depicted problems in young couple leading to divorce, based on which, policies have been made in consultation with the Government.

Dr Anurag Kuhad, organizing secretary IBRO/APRC Chandigarh Neuroscience School, University Institute of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Panjab University, Chandigarh specifically shared the personal views of Professor Pike See an International IBRO Faculty from Malaysia on “Future of Indian Neuroscience”. He said that Professor See is highly impressed with the enthusiasm of the young generation of Indian Neuroscientists. Her interaction with the B Pharm, M Pharm, PhD and Post Doc of UIPS was very exciting and appreciated the inquisitiveness of the students. Dr See said that the credit specifically goes to all UIPS faculty members specifically to Professor Kanwaljit Chopra, Chairperson UIPS for shaping their students in an outstanding manner so that they can make their place in International Institutes of very high repute in the field of Neuroscience Research. Dr See is 100% sure that future of Indian Neuroscience is very secure. She whole heartedly appreciated the Indian hospitality and said that she would love to keep visiting India in future as well. She showed her strong desire to collaborate with Indian neuroscience researchers.