Neuroscience Research
Neurological problems are major unrecognized public health problems. With paucity of trained manpower, the emphasis till date has been on delivery of services, more so in urban areas. The distribution and determinants of neurological disorders is very vital for planning delivery of services and to develop preventive programmes. Many neurological disorders are chronic and progressive in nature and place significant burden on families and societies. The departmental activities in collaboration with department of Neurology at NIMHANS have been in the areas of stroke, epilepsy, movement disorders and Neuro-disabilities focusing on research, manpower development and service delivery activities.
Stroke
Stroke is a leading cause of mortality, morbidity, disability and socioeconomic losses in India. During the past few years, the activities include – (1) analysis of records for delineating mortality patterns, (2) burden of stroke, risk factors, disabilities and outcome (BURN study) , (3) Establishing hospital based stroke registry (NIMHANS study) , (4) population based stroke registry (WHO STEPS stroke project), and (5) risk factor studies .
Research Projects
1. Establishment of Population based Rural Stroke Registry in India, Funded by Indian Council of Medical Research, Government of India, 2012-13.
2. Assessment of Feasibility of Stroke Surveillance in Bangalore – The Bangalore Stroke Registry Project, Funded by World Health Organization, Geneva, 2005.
3. Assessment of perceived needs and barriers for care among patients with Stroke and unipolar depression. Funded by NIMHANS, 2014-15.
4. Development of Stroke Registry at NIMHANS. Funded by NIMHANS, 1995.
Resources
Epilepsy
Epilepsy is the most common neurological disorder across the World. Epilepsy can be easily diagnosed and effectively managed at even peripheral levels with simple medicines. The studies in the department have focused on examining various dimensions (prevalence, pattern, risk factors and impact) of epilepsy through hospital based and population based studies. Hot Water epilepsy, one of the regional variations of epilepsy has been examined in detail. Capacity strengthening programmes for State level administrators, general practitioners, physicians and nodal neurologists has been completed. Efforts are in focus to develop a National Epilepsy Control Programme in India.
Research Projects
Resources
Movement disorders
With increasing elderly population in India, neurological problems among the elderly, especially Parkinson’s disease is increasing rapidly. Epidemiological, sociological and genetic aspects of Parkinson’s disease have been examined through community based and hospital based studies. The development of screening and diagnostic instruments that can be used in large population based research studies has been a significant development. Research activities in collaboration with department of Neurology have been completed in hospital settings, elderly homes and in community settings.
Research Projects
1. Community Follow-up Study of Parkinsonism Patients seen at NIMHANS NIMHANS 12 months
Resources
Neuro disabilities
Neurological disorders due to their chronic progressive nature of illness result in significant amount of disabilities affecting the overall quality of life of the affected individual and their families. The problem, pattern, impact and disabilities has been studied through hospital and population based studies in collaboration with the department of neurology at NIMHANS. The findings of these studies have been used for training programmes and also to develop neuro rehabilitation as the thrust area at NIMHANS.
Research Projects
Prevalence of disabilities among neurological and neurosurgical patients hospitalised at NIMHANS. Funded by NIMHANS, 1996.
Resources
Headache disorders
Research Projects
1. The Burden attributable to headache disorders in the general population of India Phase I: A community based survey in Karnataka State-Global campaign, (12 months).
2. The Burden attributable to headache disorders in the general population of India Phase 2: Cochrane systematic reviews Lifting the burden,(12 months).
Resources