The Brain & Mind Research Institute

The Brain and Mind Research Institute (BMRI) has been developed as a unique enterprise in Australia to integrate clinical and basic neurosciences research. It will be of direct benefit to people whose lives have been affected by the common and debilitating forms of psychiatric and neurological illness. The BMRI will be a centre for discovery, innovative and integrative research strategies, clinical product development and actions that translate research into improved treatment and disease prevention strategies.

While focusing attention on common mental (e.g. depression, schizophrenia, bipolar disorder, dementia and addiction) and neurological disorders (e.g. multiple sclerosis, stroke, epilepsy, disorders of hearing and balance), BMRI will also promote multidisciplinary research into other poorly understood brain-related areas such as chronic fatigue and chronic pain.

The establishment of the Institute is a consequence of the vision of one of Australia's leading neuroscientists, Professor Max Bennett. He has worked in close association with key colleagues in neurology (Professor John Pollard) and psychiatry (Professor Ian Hickie - see www.bmri.med.usyd.edu.au for C.V.s). Professor Hickie will serve as the initial executive director, emphasizing the key role that mental health issues will play in the early phases of the Institute's development. This unique interdisciplinary collaboration has inspired the University of Sydney to support the development of the Institute.

The backbone to BMRI is the breadth and quality of Neurosciences within the University of Sydney (now collectively know as Sydney University Neuroscience or S.U.N.). The University currently houses 65 independently-funded research laboratories, under the direction of ten of Australia's leading Professors. With this caliber of leadership and existing resource, there is no doubt that BMRI has the potential to take Australia to the forefront of such interdisciplinary research, product development and clinical application. It will attract other national and international figures through its innovative style, its capacity to work in a genuine interdisciplinary environment and its shared research and knowledge infrastructure. The commitment of the University to provide the necessary infrastructure and appropriate academic and clinical environments is crucial to its success.

In early 2002, the BMRI was granted an empty six storey building at 100 Mallet St, Camperdown to house the first phase of its offices and laboratories. Refurbishment will occur progressively, with the first stage completed in June 2003. The first stage of the refurbishment was focused on providing an environment for conduct of neurosciences research that utilizes functional neuroimaging infrastructure (including functional magnetic resonance imaging and positron emission tomography scanners and a cyclotron) in association with relevant cognitive neurosciences and clinical psychiatry and neurology. This stage incorporated a centre for clinical trials in psychiatry and neurology.

Throughout its operation, the BMRI will engage with the public, with particular emphasis on engagement of those community groups that represent the interests of people whose lives have been affected by the common mental and neurological disorders.