NIMHANS is now all set to install India’s first dedicated helium re-condensation plant to operate its magneto encephalography (MEG) technology at its campus in Bengaluru. Helium’s main commercial application is in the MRI scanners. The institute which has already invested Rs.25 crore to commission the MEG, is set to transform brain research and related drug discovery to tackle epilepsy, neuro psychiatry, geriatric mental conditions and cognitive research.
Globally US and EU are using MEG technology for brain research and have dedicated helium re-condensation plants. In the Indian medical space NIMHANS is now arming itself to achieve the pioneering status.
MEG is used for dilation and localizing electrical activity correlating the images and will allow advanced research capability in brain research. The institute now needs regular supply of helium to ensure the smooth functioning of the state-of-the-art equipment.
The institute is already the first in the country to invest in the advanced magneto encephalography technology which is a dependable neuro-imaging technique to map the brain activity in epilepsy patients who are not advised surgical interventions who are largely in the category of mapping brain activity.
The facility which has been operational for almost a year has screened 200 patients and has been able to provide the adequate data on patients with epilepsy and cognitive disorders apart for neuro-psychiatry conditions.
The facility is seen to have immense research potential to comprehend the cognitive brain processes, localising regions affected by pathology before surgical removal, determining the function of various parts of the brain. There are also considerable requests from neuro-psychiatry centres globally to pursue research to understand the abnormalities as well as experimental setting to simply measure brain activity, Dr P Satishchandra, director, National Institute of Mental Health told Pharmabiz in an interaction.
Therefore we are now gearing up to install a helium re-condensation plant which is an imported unit. Helium is priced Rs.6,500 per litre and 100 litres is consumed per week at NIMHANS. Going by the cost and the need for higher volumes, we felt it would be better to set up such a plant. The MEG facility will be able to manage the liquid helium consumption, he added.
Helium is a colorless, odorless, tasteless, non-toxic gas which is used to operate the MEG. Helium is a by-product of petroleum. The institute has already placed the order for the plant used for helium re-condensation plant which is imported from Finland. This is the first plant in the country and the second one is expected to be installed by National Brain Research Centre, Manesar.
NIMHANS has trained four of its team members including Dr. Satishchandra who was at Helsinki for the sessions to prepare for the operation of the helium re-condensation plant.