“Don’t you have brains?” “Use your brain before you talk”. We have been frequented many times by such comments. How does it feel when you hold the real human brain on your palm? That’s precisely what you would experience when you visit the brain museum.
India’s only museum of its kind, dedicated to the “grey
matter” - the Human Brain Museum, is located in the sprawling premises of National Institute of Mental Health
and Neuro Sciences (Nimhans), Bangalore. The museum showcases about 600 samples, brains
acquired after the death of donors with the permission of family relatives, for the cause of scientific research.
What is there inside
the head, let’s take a look outside, too
When you enter the museum hall, you wonder that those “objects”
displayed were once living and thinking, and currently become a subject for
thinking. Whatever we think and do is directed by the brain, but how it
operates is an unresolved mystery. It is
at this point Dr. S.K. Shankar, the Head of
Department of Neuropathology, Nimhans, comes to our rescue. Even before you walk along the display where
you would notice some samples marked with diseases, Dr. Shankar was all
excitement to help us hold a real human brain in our hands and pose for the
image, which can be cherished as a souvenir.
Simply point to the specimen,
and Dr. Shankar is only too happy to share his insights. Each brain has a story to share, be it tragic
or fascinating.
A sample shows how the brain was affected by head-injury, due
to the person not wearing the helmet.
This would spread awareness about using helmets and seatbelts. While he
explained the parts of the brain that affects memory, emotion, dreams …, he
also warned how the habit of cleaning of one’s ears with pencil/long sharp
object can produce boil in the brain
which is capable of killing a person. An
unhygienic swim can cause dangerous bacteria entering your brain through nose,
which can ultimately damage vital parts of the central nervous system. Another infected brain related to the
tapeworm eggs found in coriander and raw vegetables was depicted by small holes all around. “This does not mean that you should not swim
or eat chaat, but only ensure the
pool is clean and the coriander is washed”, a reassuring Dr. Shankar said.
Specimens of brains infected due to various diseases like
tuberculosis, meningitis, dementia, Alzhemeir’s, brain tumour ….had their own details. Though “schizophrenia”
is a mental disorder often characterized by abnormal behavior pattern, the
sample looked like a normal brain showing no external
manifestation.
Brains apart, a selection of heart, kidneys, livers,
intestines, were also on display.
Brain specimen of rat, cat, duck and monkey also added to the
variety. About animal brains, Dr.
Shankar says they too have emotions as humans, but the number of neurons and
connections vary. While a human adult has
8.6 b neurons, rats have 200 m and monkeys have 6,000. Monkey
brain, curiously, looks similar to human brain, but has different interior
connections.
Dr. Shankar not only educates about the
complexities of the brain, but also relates that many of these conditions are
preventable through early diagnosis. The
narration of how different organs are connected to the brains sans overlapping is not only amazing, but makes us regret how we abuse our body.
Dr. Shankar’s sparkles during
the chat
- The standard adult brain weighs between 1.2 kg and 1.4 kg and weight has nothing to do with intelligence. Intelligence is nothing but capacity to solve a problem.
- Everyone in the world uses brain. Gender has nothing to do with the brain. The brain never relaxes, and active from birth to death. If the brain is silent, the person is dead. Brain can be active without blood only for 15 seconds. Brain never feels the pain, but only interprets pain.
- All animals see only in black and white. Dogs face severe ear pain when crackers are burst.
- All our lungs are black in colour, thanks to pollution/smoke.
- There is tremendous amount of competition between twins in the mother’s womb. One steals more food from the other, and one kicks the other, because of which the psychological development of the twin-babies are not the same.
- Cancer doesn’t have permanent cure.
- If the mobile is hot, switch it off.
- Brain transplant is not a possibility, as there are billions of neuron connections. Even if one connection goes wrong, it would be a major catastrophe. Japan, however, continues its research work on some animals.
- Gossip helps to stimulate the brain.
- Grand parents should tell stories to grand-children, as it helps the former to "recall" the nitty-gritties of the story.
- Omega-3 rich food – fish, almond, walnuts are recommended in the daily intake.
Thank you, Doctor
 |
| Dr. S.K. Shankar, the brain behind the Human Brain Museum, Bangalore |
The interaction with Dr. Shankar reflected his unflinching
passion for spreading the knowledge and intending to achieve social goal, his
academic excitement intact. The diverse
collection of samples is a clear evidence to show scientists are convincing to
encourage people to donate their brains for research purposes. I am grateful to Dr. Shankar for taking us through
the stimulating brain journey.
Also, my thanks to Mr. R.G. Subramanyam and Mr. Surendar for arranging the appointment and extending transportation courtesy, respectively.
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