The National Institute of Mental Health and Neuro Sciences (NIMHANS) is strengthening its efforts to develop a deeper understanding of the brain. In this regard, it is widening the scope of research in the area of brain sciences to improve the treatment modalities in psychiatry, schizophrenia, depression, Parkinson’s disease and Alzheimer’s to name a few.

As part of its research to improve treatment outcomes, the Institute is constructing an advanced facility for production of materials to operate its PET-MRI of 32 channels from Siemens. The facility is being approved by the Atomic Energy Regulatory Board (AERB).

The neuro images from PET-MRI is expected to open up immense possibilities to advance research on the brain functions and our medical expert teams will be able to study the illness from a cellular and genetic perspective, Dr. BN Gangadhar, director, National Institute of Mental Health and Neuro Sciences told Pharmabiz.

The PET-MRI will provide access to excellent imaging tools to assess various aspects of the brain anatomy and function. It will indicate whether the receptors in the brain are active or inactive. There would be ample potential to monitor the neurobiology condition of these brain. “Our medical experts will be able to gather a better insight on the mental and neuro disorders. They will have a clear view on the distribution of diseased and normal cells in the brain,” he added.

“This is a significant progress for NIMHANS which is engaged in treating scores of patients. We would be able to provide the right treatment protocols to ensure better relief”, said Dr Gangadhar.

In addition to this, NIMHANS is also roped in for a multi-institutional research which is funded by the department of biotechnology, government of India related to assess the viability of cell engineering and gene expression of the mental and neuro diseases and disorders. The research programme is expected to support the molecular basis of the intervention. It will identify the  cells in the brain that are at risk, said Dr Gangadhar.

“Now all this is possible going by the huge patient inflow to access treatment. Therefore we see the importance of PET-MRI which will provide valuable data on the manifestation of conditions like schizophrenia, Parkinson’s Disease and Alzheimer’s. The medical experts at NIMHANS will be able to understand the cells and genes contributing to the symptoms of these conditions. Going forward, we see the possibility to prevent the onset of these conditions and also improve the well-being of patients with specific treatment options,” said Dr Gangadhar.

Further, NIMHANS which inked a memorandum of understanding in 2004 with the Swami Vivekananda Yoga Anusandhana Samsthana (Research Foundation) (sVYASA) to treat schizophrenia, will now expand its patient intake to include neuro disorders like migraine and dementia.