(a) whether the Government is planning to set-up more laboratories on the line of the National
Brain Research Centre in Manesar, Gurgaon;
(b) if so, the details thereof, State-wise;
(c) whether the research work of examining the pharmacological basis of the action of medicinal
plants used in Ayurveda to treat dementia, would be further strengthened and patented for mass
production; and
(d) if so, the details thereof?
MINISTER OF THE SCIENCE & TECHNOLOGY AND MINISTER OF EARTH SCIENCES (KAPIL SIBAL)
(a) & (b) Yes Sir. The Department of Biotechnology is planning to establish few more
laboratories such as Translational Health Science & Technology Institute and UNESCO centre at
Faridabad,Haryana, Stem Cell Research Institute at Bangalore, Karnataka and also Punjab Agri
Cluster at Mohali,Punjab. Further the National Brain Research Centre is planning to establish
satellite centres which could be set up in different parts of the country to undertake
advanced research in the area of neuroscience.
(c) & (d) The National Brain Research Centre is carrying out research work on using traditional
systems of medicine such as Ayurveda for discovering newer cures for Alzheimer’s disease. The
ongoing experiments have to be followed up by pre-clinical toxicology testing in animals after
which clinical trials can be initiated to determine the efficacy in patient population. The
patenting of the extract, which is effective in animal models of Alzheimer’s disease is in
progress. A Memorandum of Understanding is to be signed with collaborating institutions
before the patenting process can be completed and this is currently being worked out.