The Brain Dynamics Centre - Convenor of BRAINnet

BrainNet

The Brain Dynamics Centre is the coordinating site for an international network - BRAINnet . It has over 180 members, and coordinates access to the first standardized database on the human brain for scientific purposes: Brain Resource International Database.

The goal of BRAINnet members is to understand the brain across the lifespan, and the cause and treatment of mental illnesses. Periods of rapid change – particularly adolescence – are a key focus.

BRAINnet is a virtual network which acts as a forum for multi-site collaboration, multi-disciplinary integration and for presentation of research findings to the public. It is independently operated by its members, rather than a single hospital or university.

The network has an industry partner, the Brain Resource Company, which has established the first fully standardized international database on the human brain.

Through this linkage, BRAINnet provides an independent scientific forum for unprecedented scientific access to data from the brain database.

BRAINnet was established using sophisticated networking infrastructure, provided by its BRC linkage and Australian Research Council seed funds. It is now seeking independent operational support to continue and to consolidate its national operations.

Why the Brain?

BRAINnet provides a national approach to addressing the neuroscience and mental health issues which are now federal and state government priorities.

Brain disorders are chronic and debilitating, posing the highest burden to Australia (in health, economic and social capital attrition) of any disease group, accounting for over 22% of the aggregate losses, ahead of cancer (11.3%) and heart disease (9.9%).

Brain disorders are predicted to contribute a progressively higher percentage of the burden of disease, so that by the year 2020 they will comprise 27%.

Brain disorders affect as many as 1.5 billion people worldwide, and the number is expected to increase as life expectancy increases. In Australia, 2.6 million adults and 0.5 million children suffer from at least 1 mental illness episode a year.