The Advanced Centre for Ayurveda (ACA) at the National Institute of Mental Health and Neuro Sciences (NIMHANS) has started a clinical assessment of Ayurveda treatment for neurological disorders. The documentation on the efficacy of Ayurveda to treat stroke, ataxia, Parkinson's disease, muscular dystrophy and Gullian Bar Syndrome will help neurologists frame treatment guidelines.

"After treatment, patients have shown a slower progression of the disease,'' informed Dr. Devidas, assistant director, Advanced Centre for Ayurveda, which gets patients referred by NIMHANS' department of neurology, its collaborator for the documentation. "There is no proper documentation available for treating many of these conditions despite the presence of drugs and therapies,'' added Dr. Devidas.

Although it is difficult to completely cure chronic neuro disorders, ACA treatment has helped regenerate nerves and control symptoms. "We seek international recognition to the documentation of purification and palliative treatment," Dr. Devidas stated.

The centre, set up in 2001, has a 30-beded in-patient department (IPD) and has had 186 admissions since October 2003. "Internal and external medication have reduced the severity of the disorder. Discharged patients are returning only for follow-ups,'' stated Dr. Devidas.

At the IPD, treatment is free and the four pay-wards cost Rs 200 a day for neurology and psychiatry patients. At the IPD, neuro in-patients' degenerated cells can be revived with 'Rasayana' therapy. Panchakarma, Shirobati and Shirodhara are intervention therapies.

The Central Council for Ayurveda and Siddha (CCRAS), part of the department of Indian System of Medicine and Homeopathy, has cleared funding of basic Panchakarma equipment. ACA performs Panchakarma for 20 male and female patients a day.

The two-year-old ACA, set up at a cost of Rs 1.15 crore on the CCRAS grant, has started full-fledged research programmes. It investigates and treats conditions like Unmada (Schizophrenia), Manodvega (anxiety disorders), Manasa Mandata (mental retardation), Apasmara (epilepsy), Mamsavata (muscular dystrophy) and Pakshavadha (Hemiplegia). Patients with Gullian Bar syndrome, a rare virus disease where limb mobility is lost, are also admitted to the in-patient ward. "With Panchakarma and Basti, patients brought on stretchers now walk with support,'' said Dr. Devidas.

NIMHANS has been treating psychiatric and neurological patients with ayurvedic medicines and treatment modes since 1971.

For depression and Schizophrenia, the unit administers 'Satvavajaya' to conquer the mind in a traditional method. The team of doctors counsels the cases based on ayurveda principles. The unit also holds a Muscular Dystrophy clinic.