Academics / Courses Conducted
Teaching:
Teaching is a major part of the Department’s mandate and mission. The scope of our curriculum has considerably expanded over the last few years. It currently includes teaching and training postgraduate students pursuing DM Neuropathology, MD Pathology, DM Neurology, Mch Neurosurgery, DM Neuroradiology, MPhil and PhD in Neurosciences in various aspects of neuropathology including neuroanatomy, histology, neurooncology, infections, neuromuscular pathology, neurodegeneration and ultrastructural pathology. The faculty are also resource persons to several CME, symposia and conferences throughout the year. There are also workshops, symposia and conferences conducted in the department.
Courses conducted:
The department currently offers DM in Neuropathology (Initiated in 2015), Post doctoral fellowships in Neuropathology and and PhD programs in neuropathology for graduates/postgraduates. Short term training for technicians to learn specialised neuropathology techniques like muscle enzyme histochemistry, immunohistochemsitry, histotechniques and electron microscopy are also available.
DM in Neuropathology and Postdoctoral Fellowship in Neuropathology
Two seats in DM (Neuropathology), two fellowships in Neuropathology and two fellowships in Transfusion Medicine are available annually (refer Prospectus for more details). The candidates are chosen through a competitive online entrance exam. The DM course is of 3 years duration and the PDF courses are of one year duration and starts on 1st July every year. The students are trained in diagnostic aspects of neuropathology and exposed to research activities. During the period they rotate for brief postings through allied branches of Neuroradiology, Neuromicrobiology and Neurovirology. They actively participate in routine work, assist in diagnosis, undertake autopsies, and participate in teaching sessions of our department and allied departments. At the end of their fellowship it is expected that they would be able to independently handle diagnosis of neurological disorders. During their tenure they have to undertake a research project designed to provide exposure to research methodology and translate into publications in peer reviewed journals.
The candidates gain proficiency in diagnostic neuropathology from the extensive exposure to large number of neurooncology and neuromuscular biopsies received for diagnosis. Participation in the bi-weekly clinicopathologic slide sessions and brain cutting conferences with the neurology, neurosurgery and neuroradiology colleagues provides insight into clinical, radiological and therapeutic implications of diagnosis. The clinical autopsy rotations provide fellows exposure and training in the techniques of brain removal, anatomy and evaluation of cause of death. The abundant surgical and autopsy material provides ample opportunity for research.
PhD in Neuropathology:
Currently there are 7 PhD students in the department of Neuropathology and recently one student was awarded the PhD degree. The candidates are either selected on the basis of a competitive national level entrance examination conducted by the Institute, or after an interview if they have scholarship from CSIR, UGC and other government funding agencies (refer Prospectus for more details). The PhD students in the Department of Neuropathology are carrying out advanced research in the fields of Neurooncology and Neuromuscular disorders.
Additionally, the faculty are co-guides for several PhD candidates of Cinical Neurosciences and other departments.
Faculty trained:
Several Consultant Pathologists from various Institutes (To name a few Gwalior Medical College, CIMS-Nagpur, PGI Chandigarh, SMS Medical College, Jaipur, KIMS, Trivendrum, BJ Medical college- Kolhapur, AIIMS, Bhubaneswar, KEM Hospital, Mumbai), have undergone observorship/training in neuropathology in the department helping in initiating diagnostic neuropathology or updating knowledge.
Technician’s training:
Technicans have been trained in the sophisticated technique of Muscle enzyme histochemistry. This has helped in setting up this specialized facility in several centres
Conferences conducted:
1. NPSICON 2017
The department hosted the 3nd annual conference of the Neuropathology Society of India at NIMHANS in April 2017. The conference covered all aspects Neuropathology in keeping with the rapid growth in diagnostic work, research and care throughout the world. The conference included Symposium on Neuromuscular Disorders, Symposium on Neurooncology, Case based discussions and Slide Seminar, Symposium on Neurooncology, Neuropatholgy of Epilepsy, Neuropathology of Demyelinating disease, Neuropathology of Neurodegeneration, Zika viral infection: neurological manisfestations, Case based discussions and Slide Seminar by many national and renowned International speakers