Latest news with #NationalInstituteofMentalHealthandNeurosciences
New Indian Express
16-07-2025
- Health
- New Indian Express
Significant neuro problems linked to Covid vaccines found: NIMHANS study
BENGALURU: A series of clinical studies conducted at the National Institute of Mental Health and Neurosciences (NIMHANS) have revealed significant neurological problems associated with both Covid-19 infection and Covid vaccination. Led by Dr Netravathi M, Professor of Neurology at NIMHANS, the studies span both the first wave of the pandemic and the subsequent vaccination drive, offering insights into how the virus and the global response to it has affected the central and peripheral nervous system. Between March and September 2020, NIMHANS reviewed hospital records of 3,200 patients with neurological illnesses. Among them, 120 patients (3.75%) had confirmed Covid infections accompanied by neurological disorders. The median age of these patients was 49 years, with a range from 3 to 84 years. Common symptoms included altered consciousness (47%), seizures (21%), and anosmia (14.2%). Many patients (49%) had a preceding fever, a press release issued from the office of the state Medical Education Minister on Tuesday stated. Researchers noted that Covid can cause neurological symptoms through direct viral involvement, hypoxia, thrombotic complications, or autoimmune mechanisms. 'Neurological disturbances observed in both active and post-Covid phases' Importantly, neurological disturbances were observed in both active and post-Covid phases, indicating a need for long-term monitoring of patients even after recovery.
Mint
06-07-2025
- Entertainment
- Mint
Are films finally getting the depiction of neurodivergence right?
For far too long now, global cinema has depicted neurodiverse people either as tragic sufferers or as super talents. Take, for instance, The Good Doctor, in which Dr Shaun Murphy, a surgical resident with autism, is known for his near-photographic memory. Then there is Extraordinary Attorney Woo, an acclaimed Korean series, in which a young lawyer on the autism spectrum shines for her brilliant and creative problem-solving abilities. Mugdha Kalra, a mother to a neurodivergent child and co-founder, Not That Different—a platform that builds awareness and pushes for systemic change around autism, invisible disabilities and support systems for families—finds these portrayals problematic. 'These affect the way society or parents are looking at their children. They are either perceived as figures of pity, or parents start looking for super talents in their kids, which is a huge disservice to the child," she says. According to research by consultancy and auditing firm Deloitte, between 10-20% of the global population falls on the neurodivergent spectrum. A recent report by the National Institute of Mental Health and Neurosciences (Nimhans) states that 2 million Indians are neurodivergent. 'When you have lakhs of people on the spectrum, then there are lakhs of possible on-screen characters. No two trait sets are identical. There is great potential to create characters, which are nuanced, varied and layered, and to present them with dignity," adds Kalra. Why not look at real-life examples and make space for everyday realities such as time blindness, OCD (obsessive compulsive disorder) loops or fidgety stims? A positive shift which has taken place in the last five years is that neurodivergent characters are being essayed by actors, who themselves are on the spectrum. They bring their lived reality to the roles, adding authenticity to the portrayals. Abuli Mamaji, who has Down Syndrome, played one of the leads in Nikhil Pherwani's Ahaan (2019), a film about a man with OCD finding a sense of camaraderie in a young man on the spectrum. In the UK, an experimental feature, The Stimming Pool (2024), has been co-created by a collective of autistic artists, the Neurocultures Collective, and filmmaker Steven Eastwood, 'who invite you into a neurodiverse world within the undulating logic of neurotypical environments". In an interview to The Guardian in March this year, Georgia Kumari Bradburn, one of the directors, said: 'It was never about us having a duty to explain who we are or what we are doing to other people. This is just the way we exist. It's a different way of existing." And now there is Sitaare Zameen Par, the official remake of the 2018 Spanish film, Champions, which stars 10 lead actors on the spectrum. Inclusion activists don't advocate for adding a protagonist on the spectrum just for tokenism. Rather, they would prefer if the neurodivergence was built into the script in a matterof-fact way, which normalises being on the spectrum. Imagine a hospital drama in which a nurse needs instructions in writing, or a junior lawyer in a courtroom series, who struggles with eye contact.'There are micro traits of neurodiversity, which can be shown as coexisting with neurotypicality. None of these need to be portrayed at a dramatic level. Their presence alone will tell the audience that neurodivergence can exist in all possible situations and not just in special issue episodes," elaborates Kalra. While the depiction of neurodivergence on screen is changing, people hope for a more layered and in-depth depiction of the caregivers as well. And that's where Anu Singh Choudhary's Selfie, Please, stands out. The 22-minute short film presents a vignette from the life of a family comprising a set of neurotypical and neurodivergent siblings—Anjali and Ananya, respectively. There is a particularly poignant scene where Anjali, an Odissi dancer, reminds her father that he owes her a prize for her exceptional performance. He hands her ₹500, while also giving the same amount to her elder sister, Ananya, who has Down Syndrome. As Anjali's face falls—this was to be her accomplishment alone—her mother reminds her of an earlier promise that everything would be split equally between the two sisters. Anjali storms off, and you can sense the seething discontent—she craves for her mother's attention and resents her sister for being the constant recipient of it. The scene also offers you an insight into the life of a mother, (played by Sarika Singh), who is torn between the two sisters day in and day out. In 22 minutes, Anu brings out the family dynamics to the fore, including the conflict between the parents about the manner of caregiving. According to Kalra, such stories are important as the diagnosis of a child being on the spectrum holds significance for the entire family. 'Selfie, Please already begins with a level of understanding—it doesn't explain Down Syndrome nor does it overtly dramatise the sibling rivalry. It just shows an episode from the life of this family," she says. For Anu, who wrote series such as Aarya and Mrs, this film stemmed from personal experiences. 'Ananya, who plays the sibling with Down Syndrome, is my first cousin. I have seen her mother feel conflicted about encouraging her to explore her social space while also being fiercely protective of her. Often that comes at the cost of your sanity and world view. And if you have another child, who is neurotypical, that plight increases," she says. The medium of short film allowed her to choose an ordinary day from someone's life. The moment of conflict shows the choices that families are making on a daily basis. 'Cinematic storytelling will always look for something extraordinary. But storytellers should not take away the mundanity of everyday life. They should strike a balance—something that Sitaare Zameen Par does well," elaborates Anu. Meanwhile, Selfie, Please has been winning awards at festivals such as the Dadasaheb Phalke Film Festival, Indian World Film Festival and Bangalore Short Films Festival. The filmmaker is keen that the screenings be followed by focused group discussions as well. For instance, just last week, Selfie, Please was screened at the Veda Kunba Auditorium, Mumbai, as part of the event, Neuro Unity: Lights Camera Inclusion, organised by Kalra. This included a discussion with Anu and Divy Nidhi Sharma, writer, Sitaare Zameen Par, about ways of authentically portraying neurodivergent characters in cinema and television. 'There is a need to create understanding not just about people on the spectrum but those around them as well. It is not just about a film but what you can take away from that to expand your worldview," adds Anu .
New Indian Express
29-06-2025
- Health
- New Indian Express
NIMHANS Northern campus in Bengaluru gets Centre's nod
BENGALURU: The Union Government has granted in-principle approval for the construction of a 300-bed Post-Graduate Polytrauma Centre under the National Institute of Mental Health and Neurosciences (NIMHANS) at Kyalasanahalli near Kempegowda International Airport (KIA), Bengaluru. The facility, estimated to cost Rs 498 crore, is aimed at providing advanced emergency and trauma care to accident victims in and around the Bengaluru region. The approval was issued by the Department of Expenditure under the Union Ministry of Finance, following a proposal submitted by the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare (MoHFW). The land for the project, measuring 39 acres, had been allotted to NIMHANS in 2012-13, during the tenure of the BJP-led state government in Karnataka. The proposed facility will serve as NIMHANS' Northern Campus and will include not just the trauma hospital, but also residential quarters for staff, hostels, guest houses, administrative blocks, and other support infrastructure. The Finance Ministry has laid down several conditions for the project. These include optimising manpower and infrastructure as recommended by NITI Aayog in its 2021 report, ensuring the trauma centre also caters to regular patients, and monitoring outputs and outcomes regularly for mid-course corrections. The ministry has also asked the Health Ministry to frame a long-term national policy for emergency and serious injury care. The Centre will provide critical care for patients suffering from multiple and complex injuries, particularly head, brain, chest, abdomen, and skeletal trauma, during the crucial 'Golden Hour.'
New Indian Express
23-06-2025
- Health
- New Indian Express
Advanced treatment for Parkinson's offers better quality of life
When 64-year-old MBK Nair first noticed a subtle tremor in his right hand in 2020, he brushed it off as fatigue or muscle weakness, assuming that could be a sign of aging. A retired electrical engineer from Bengaluru, he experienced other symptoms after a few months and the tremors worsened. A few tests later, Nair was diagnosed with Parkinson's disease (PD), a progressive neurological disorder that affects movement apart from cognitive and emotional function. Though initially he managed it with medication, the relief was temporary. However, everything changed for the better early this year, after he underwent magnetic resonance-guided focused ultrasound (MRgFUS), a cutting edge procedure. Within days of the non-invasive treatment, the tremors that had dominated his life for years were nearly gone. Nair's case is one of many that demonstrate how advanced procedures are offering renewed hope to millions of Parkinson's patients. Despite the challenges, evolving technologies like focused ultrasound and deep brain stimulation are transforming management strategies and improving quality of life. Once mostly associated with older adults, PD is now alarmingly affecting younger populations in India, which now reports between 15 and 43 PD cases per one lakh people. Data from the National Institute of Mental Health and Neurosciences (NIMHANS) reveals that nearly 40-45% of Indian patients aged between 22-49 years experience the symptoms, which is nearly 10 years earlier than the global average. A recent study published in the British Medical Journal projects that the global Parkinson's population will reach 25.2 million by 2050, up by over 112% from 2021. South Asia, particularly India, is expected to account for nearly 6.8 million of these cases. The prevalence has been estimated at 267 cases per one lakh people worldwide. Invisible onset PD is the world's second most prevalent neurodegenerative disorder after Alzheimer's. The World Health Organization warns that neurodegenerative diseases, including Parkinson's and Alzheimer's, could surpass cancer as the second leading cause of death globally by 2040. The disease results from the gradual loss of dopamine-producing neurons in the brain. Dopamine is a chemical messenger essential for smooth and coordinated muscle movements. When dopamine levels drop, motor functions become impaired, leading to a range of uncontrollable symptoms. Parkinson's typically strikes people over 60, though younger cases (below 50) are also reported. Men are more likely to develop the condition than women. Some key symptoms of PD include tremors, especially in hands, arms, or legs, bradykinesia (slowness of movement), muscle rigidity, and shuffling gait. The disease is characterised primarily by motor symptoms like TRAP - tremors, rigidity, akinesia, and postural instability (difficulty to maintain balance). Non-motor symptoms such as depression and anxiety, sleep disturbances, cognitive impairment, constipation, and loss of smell (anosmia) are also seen in some patients. People ideally should watch out for are persistent hand tremors, stiffness or reduced arm swing on one side, slowness in daily activities, difficulty with balance or small handwriting, and soft or slurred speech, said Dr Sowmya M, senior consultant of Neurology at Aster RV Hospital, Bengaluru. 'The earliest signs are often so subtle that they go unnoticed or are mistaken for signs of aging or stress. Tremors are the hallmark symptom, typically starting on one side of the body, mostly in a hand or finger while at rest. Non-motor symptoms can appear years before motor symptoms begin. In such cases, people should always consult neurologists as symptoms like anxiety, loss of sense of smell, sleep disturbances, and even subtle cognitive decline are not always linked to Parkinson's by non-specialist physicians and it delays the diagnosis,' Dr Sowmya said. Clinical diagnosis Diagnosing Parkinson's is largely clinical as no blood test or scan can confirm it with certainty. A neurologist typically evaluates a combination of symptoms, medical history, and physical examinations. Imaging tools like MRI or CT scans are used to rule out other conditions, while a specialised nuclear imaging scan, known as DaTscan, can visualise dopamine activity in the brain. 'Diagnosis of Parkinson's disease is primarily based on signs and symptoms, typically motor-related, identified through neurological examination. Medical imaging techniques like positron emission tomography can support the diagnosis,' Dr Lulup Kumar Sahoo, professor in the Neuro Medicine department of IMS and SUM Hospital, Bhubaneswar said. Treatment begins with medications to increase dopamine levels. Patients generally respond well to dopamine supplementation, commonly known as Syndopa. Though many patients benefit from Syndopa, its effects tend to last for only a short period. Levodopa, often combined with Carbidopa, is also a commonly used drug. It helps replenish dopamine and improves muscle control, though its long-term use can lead to side effects such as dyskinesia. New hope Two major breakthroughs in Parkinson's treatment have emerged in recent years - magnetic resonance-guided focused ultrasound (MRgFUS) and deep brain stimulation (DBS). Focused ultrasound is a non-invasive technique that uses sound waves, guided by MRI, to target and destroy tiny areas of brain tissue responsible for tremors, without impacting surrounding healthy tissues. It does not require anaesthesia, surgery, or recovery time. 'A great alternative to traditional brain surgery, focused ultrasound can be beneficial for patients who haven't responded well to medication or prefer non-invasive procedures. Patients come in shaking and walk out with steady hands after the procedure. The treatment requires no surgical incisions or implants, and the mild transient numbness is resolved within days,' said Dr Sunil Patra, senior neurosurgeon at Manipal Hospitals, Bhubaneswar. Dr Sahoo said MRgFUS uses over 1,000 beams of focused ultrasound energy directed at a precise point in the brain, typically the thalamus, which is involved in motor control. Guided in real time by high-resolution MRI imaging, the treatment raises the temperature of the targeted tissue to a point where it is thermally ablated, disrupting the abnormal brain circuits causing tremors. 'The entire process is performed without scalpels, anaesthesia, or hospitalisation. Patients remain awake and responsive, allowing physicians to evaluate the effects in real time. Most patients experience immediate and significant reduction in tremor, immediately after the procedure. It, however, costs around `25 lakh, almost double the cost of DBS,' he added. DBS, on the other hand, involves implanting electrodes into specific brain regions such as the subthalamic nucleus or globus pallidus, guided by MRI. These electrodes deliver controlled electrical pulses that modulate abnormal brain activity. DBS can significantly reduce tremors, stiffness, and medication dependence. 'In DBS surgery or brain pacemaker surgery, small burrholes (keyhole) are made in the skull and electrodes are placed deep inside the brain under stereotactic guidance. These electrodes will be connected to a battery placed in the subcutaneous pouch in the upper chest. Based on the patient's symptomatic profile, the electrodes can be activated by switching on the battery with specified current. The electrodes will stimulate the desired neurons and give symptomatic relief,' Dr T P Jeyaselva Senthilkumar, senior consultant neurosurgeon, SRM Global Hospitals, Chennai. 'It is a one-day procedure and requires the patient to stay at the hospital for five days for observation and wound healing. The programming of the impulse generator battery will begin after two weeks, once the patient is stable. It is another one-day procedure,' added Dr Asha Kishore, director of the Parkinson's and Movement Disorders Centre at Aster Kerala Cluster. Senthilkumar added that to be eligible for DBS, the patient should have been responsive to oral medications. The total cost can range from Rs 15.5 lakh to Rs 20 lakh, based on model of implant used.
Time of India
19-06-2025
- Health
- Time of India
Sholay to Suraksha: A quiet revolution in suicide prevention starts in Karnataka's Ramanagara
Ramanagara: On a tranquil two-acre stretch of land in Ramanagara — once the cinematic backdrop for Sholay and Amitabh Bachchan's months-long shoot — a mental health initiative that could shape suicide prevention strategies across India and Asia is unfolding. Project Suraksha — short for surveillance system to track suicide and self-harm — is a community-based suicide prevention model, led by the National Institute of Mental Health and Neurosciences (Nimhans) in collaboration with Karnataka govt and funded by Himalaya Wellness Company. The ancestral land of psychiatrist Dr CR Chandrashekar has been converted into a rural outreach centre, operational since Feb 2023. From this base, a multi-tiered response is being piloted in Channapatna across all 32 panchayats. The process of rolling it out across Ramanagara district has already begun. An official district-level centre operates at the zilla panchayat building about 3km away. Thirty residents per panchayat have been trained to form community surveillance teams. "They're the shoulder people cry on, the ones who notice distress before it becomes a tragedy," said Anish V Cherian, project lead and principal investigator. These teams include teachers, anganwadi workers, and autorickshaw drivers trained to intervene in emergencies. Agricultural shopkeepers are being asked to limit the sale of excess fertilisers, which are sometimes used in self-harm. Schools and health centres have identified gatekeepers to monitor distress. Newspapers are analysed for responsible suicide reporting, and families of those who died by suicide are offered grief counselling and support through mourning rituals. At the district-level coordination centre in the ZP office, a six-member team rotates duties to respond to emergencies. On Thursday, Suraksha received approval from the police department to access suicide data directly from station-level reports — bypassing delays associated with NCRB (National Crime Records Bureau) data that typically emerges a year late. "This gives us timely data. Now we can respond while the window for intervention is still open," said Cherian. Ramanagara superintendent of police Srinivas Gowda acknowledged the initiative's novelty: "Data usually stays with hospitals or police, but this model actually uses trained mental health professionals to act." Data will be integrated with information from 68 primary health centres, urban PHCs, and community health centres, where ASHAs and medical officers help identify cases in a "self-harm registry". Anganwadi workers from various districts underwent training this week. "In village setups, no one wants to go to police. We're learning to respond within the community," said Pushpalatha, a worker from Channapatna. Anmol Jain, CEO of the zilla panchayat, told trainees: "Mental health isn't just for people who are 'mad'. Many suffer silently. We must help them." Arya Thirumeni, programme manager at Suraksha, outlined their interventions: Safety planning cards listing personal warning signs, coping methods, and emergency contacts; follow-ups over two years for those who attempted to die by suicide; and secure storage of lethal means such as pesticides or medication.
