Centre for Advanced Neurological Research

General Medicine

Centre for Advanced Neurological Research

Dr Lekha Pandit is the Principal Investigator of this center , located at KS Hegde Medical Academy. Its strength and uniqueness comes from the fact that it is a clinician driven research center which focuses on translational research in autoimmune central nervous system disorders. Its broad goals are to utilize clinical longitudinal data derived from its large patient registry to ask basic research questions that have translational potential through identification of biomarkers, immunological targets that facilitate management algorithms and the development of cost effective bioassays. These include a number of autoimmune disorders with special emphasis on multiple sclerosis (MS), Neuromyelitis optica spectrum disorders(NMOSD) and a variety of atypical non MS demyelinating diseases.

Faculty

Current Areas of Research

This unique centre devoted to clinical and basic research in the field of Neurology came into existence in 2006. The initial funding for starting the lab was brought in by Dr. LekhaPandit and a memorandum of understanding was signed with Nitte Education Trust on 15.07.2005. Subsequent funding came from the generous support of the Nitte Trust and Governmental funding agencies such as DRDO, DST ICMR& DBT and international agencies such as Multiple Sclerosis Society of Great Britain.

Clinical Research:

Mangalore Demyelinating Disease Registry: The growing number of patients with demyelinating central nervous system disorders seen at the Department of Neurology at K S Hegde Hospital led to the formation of a patient registry exclusively for the enrollment, assessment, subsidized treatment and dedicated long term followup of patients with Multiple sclerosis, Neuromyelitisoptica and other atypical demyelinating central nervous system (CNS) disorders. The Mangalore demyelination disease Registry, run by Dr Lekha Pandit was started in 2007 with a purpose to establish a database of CNS demyelinating disorders. Patients within a radius of 250 km from Mangalore are referred for specialist consultation and treatment. This registry has more than 1500 patients on its rolls. Nearly 2/3rd are followed long-term with dedicated treatment protocols and subsidized medications. Data from this registry has led to many original contributions that help to understand autoimmune neurological disorders in the Indian context.

Laboratory Research:

  • Development of in-house cell based assay for the detection of AQP4 and MOGIgG antibody using Indirect Immunofluorescence technique for the sensitive diagnosis of Neuromyelitis Optica Spectrum Disorders (NMOSD).
  • Evaluation of the genetic susceptibility and environmental factors associated with Multiple sclerosis and Neuromyelitisoptica spectrum disorders.
  • Biomarker development for the detection of unknown antibodies associated with seronegative NMOSD.
  • Role of gut microbiome in central nervous system autoimmune disorders

Extra mural and intra mural Research Projects:

Association of Helicobacter pylori virulent genes with demyelinating CNS disorders Nitte (Deemed to be University) 2022-2024 Rs 1,80,000
Identifying and characterizing Aquaporin -4 specific T cells in Neuromyelitis optica spectrum disorders Nitte (Deemed to be University)
2020-2021
Rs 1,99,948
Development of a sensitive cell based assay for the detection of a diagnostic biomarker (Myelin oligodendrocyte glycoprotein antibody) in Neuromyelitis optica spectrum disorders ICMR
(2020-2023)
Rs 30,72,528
Indian Multiple Sclerosis and Allied Demyelinating Disorders Registry and Research Network ICMR
(2020-2025)
Rs 32,29,000
Use of Wistar rat brain sections in Immunohistochemistry studies for characterization of seronegative Neuromyelitis optica spectrum disorders-A pilot study Nitte (Deemed to be University)
2019-2020
Rs 1,40,000
Evaluation of AQP4-IgG administration with human complement for developing Neuromyelitis optica spectrum disorder (NMOSD) rodent mouse model - A pilot study Nitte (Deemed to be University)
2019-2020
Rs 1,25,000
"Development of a cost effective cell based assay for the diagnosis of Neuromyelitis optica spectrum disorders in India" DBT-BIRAC
(2019-2021)
Rs 40,93,000
Neuromyelitis optica Biomarker assay development – Phase1 (Culture & Maintenance of Human Embryonic Kidney cell lines for development of cell based biomarker assay for sensitive diagnosis of Neuromyelitis optica spectrum disorders.) Nitte University
(2015-2016)
Rs 1,20,000
Understanding the role of herpes viruses and human endogenous retrovirus in MS pathogenesis Dept of Biotechnology
(2014-2017)
Rs 65,00,000
Environmental & genetic risk factors for MS in Indian population Dept of Science & Technology, Govt of India
(2011-2014)
Rs 58,01,282
Study of European risk variants in MS in Indian population MS society of Great Britain (2013-2014) Rs 15,00,000
Association of H pylori with NMO and NMO spectrum disorders among Indian population Nitte University
(2014-2015)
Rs 1,33,900
Association of HLA Class I (A&C) Alleles in Multiple Sclerosis among Indian population- a pilot study Nitte University
(2013-2014)
Rs 2,05,375
Study of patterns and prevalence of demyelinating disorders in urban Mangalore Indian council of medical research
(2010-2013)
Rs 35,80,000
Evaluation of Anti Aquaporin Antibody in Indan Demyelinating disorders (collaboration with Professor Weinshenker, Mayoclinic, Minnesotta, USA) Intramural funding
(2007-2008)
Rs 1,00,000
A longitudinal study to determine the clinical and radiological predictors for ADEM and MS and to evaluate underlying genetic susceptibility. Indian council of Medical research
(2007-2010)
Rs 12,50,000
Molecular genetics & genetic epi demiology of some common triplet repeat disorders in Coastal Karnataka Dept.of Science & Technology, (DST,Govt of India)
(2006-2009)
Rs19,00,000
Molecular Characterization of Campylo- bacter jejuni infection associated with Guillane –Barre syndrome Life Science research Board (DRDO,Govt of India)
(2005-2007)
Rs10,80,000
Evaluation of Fragile X syndrome as cause of mental retardation Indian council of medical of research (ICMR) & Nitte Educational Trust
(2002-2003)
Rs 25,000
Use of universal primers in the diagnosis Of culture negative meningitis Use of semi nested PCR in diagnosis of Culture negative meningitis Rhodes Scholar Mridula Shastri memorial post-doctoral scholarship (2001-2002) Rs 1,00,000

International collaborative projects:

Title Collaborators
An International Collaborative study of Myelin Oligodendrocyte Glycoprotein antibody associated disease (MOGAD) Dr Lekha Pandit (India), Dr Brenda Banwell (Philadelphia, USA)
Optic neuritis classification study - An international collaborative study (2018-2021) Lead collaborator- Dr Axel Petzold, UCL Institute of Neurology, Queen square, London, United Kingdom
International Panel for classification of Myelin Oligodendrocyte Glycoprotein Antibody Diseases (MOGAD) (2020-2021) Brain Group: Kazuo Fujihara (Japan) Romain Marignier ( France) Albert Saiz (Spain) Lekha Pandit (India) Brenda Banwell (US) Cheryl Hemingway (UK)

Spinal Cord Group: Jackie Palace ( UK) Ho Jin Kim ( S Korea) Eoin Flanagan (US) Douglas Sato ( Brazil)Rinze Neuteboom (Netherlands), Silvia Tenenbaum (Argentina)

Optic Nerve Group: Friedemann Paul (Germany) Jeff Bennett ( US), Alexander Brandt ( US/GER), Sudarshini Ramanathan ( AUS) Kevin Rostasy (Austria/ Germany) Jennifer Graves ( US)

Serology Group: Sean Pittock ( US) Paddy Waters (UK) Markus Reindl (Austria) Fabienne Brilot-Turville (Australia) Tanuja Chitnis (US), Kumaran Deiva (France)
Delphi Consensus Panel- Treatment choices in NMOSD (2020-2021) Chair : Dr Friedemann Paul (Germany International Panel: Dr Jacqueline Palace(US),Dr Romain Marignier(France), Dr Sudarshini Ramanathan ( AUS), Dr Marco Lana Peixoto (Brazil), Dr Douglas Sato(Brazil), Dr Nasrin Asgari(Denmark)Dr Ho Jin Kim (Republic of Korea),Dr Lekha Pandit(India), Dr Sean Pittock (USA),Dr Jeff Bennett(USA), Dr Isabel Leite(UK), Dr Saif Huda(UK), Dr Mar Tintore(Spain), Dr Albert Saiz (Spain), Dr Najib Kissani (Morocco), Kuzuo Fujihara (Japan), Dr Satoshi Kuwabara(Japan), Dr Adi Vaknin- Dembinsky (Israel).
Role of gut microbiome in central nervous system autoimmune disorders-A comparative study of patients of Indian origin with white Americans (2018-2019) FULLBRIGHT RESEARCH PROJECT- NITTE/HARVARD UNIVERSITY Fullbright fellowship program, Brigham & Women’s hospital, Harvard medical school (host University) Amount:15,000USD
An international retrospective multi-center study of retinal optical coherence tomography in patients with neuromyelitis optica spectrum disorders (2017-2019) The Collaborative Retrospective Study on retinal OCT in Neuromyelitis Optica (CROCTINO) / Parallel Study on MRI in Neuromyelitis Optica (PAMRINO) project-The Data Coordination Center (DCC) of the University of Utah,USA, Charité – Universitäts medizin Berlin-Germany, Guthy-Jackson Charitable Foundation, USA
Comparative study of severity of Neuromyelitis Optica Spectrum Disorder world wide (2017-2019) Dr Jacqueline Palace Nuffield Department of Clinical Neurosciences, Oxford University. Dr Ho Jin Kim National Cancer Center Korea, (Goyang-si South Korea)
An International survey on treatment of MOG-IgG associated demyelination (2018-2019) Lead collaborator- Dr Anu Jacob, The Walton Centre NHS Foundation Trust, Liverpool, United Kingdom

Facilities

Equipments
Make
Cell culture Equipments:
  • Fluorescent Microscope
  • Class 2 Biological safety cabinet
  • CO2 Incubator
  • Flow cytometer
  • Cell counter-Countess II FL
  • Immunowash Microplate Washer and iMark Microplate Absorbance Reader
  • Direct8-Milli Q- Water purification unit
  • Ice machine

 

Nikon
Thermo Fisher scientific (USA)
Thermo Fisher scientific (USA)
BD-Facsverse
Thermo Fisher scientific (USA)
Bio-Rad (USA)
 
Merck Millipore
Labman(India)
PCR and Electrophoresis equipments:
  • Real time PCR
  • Thermal cycler-PTC220 Dyad
  • Thermal cycler- S1000
  • Nanodrop-2000 Spectrophotometer
  • Gel Documentation unit
  • HYDRASYS 2 Iso Focusing unit - Automated Agarose gel Electrophoresis System
  • PROTEAN® i12TM IEF System and SDS PAGE unit
  • Electrophoresis System (Horizontal)
  • Electrophoresis System (Vertical)

7500 Applied Biosystems (USA)
Bio-Rad (USA)
Bio-Rad (USA)
Thermo Fisher scientific (USA)
VilberLourmat (France)
Sebia (France)
 
Bio-Rad (USA)

Bangalore Genei
Bangalore Genei
Centrifuges:
  • Sorvall ST 8R Centrifuge
  • Revolutionary Laboratory Centrifuge R-8C
  • Plate Centrifuge PR-23
  • Refrigerated centrifuge CPR 24
  • Non Refrigerated High SpeedCentrifuge
  • Refrigerated Centrifuge 5702R

Thermo Fisher scientific (USA)
Remi (India)
Remi (India)
Remi (India)
Eppendorf (Germany)
Eppendorf (Germany)
Freezers and refrigerators:
  • -80°c Deep Freezer-3 Nos

  • -20°c Deep Freezer-Horizontal -1 No
  • -20°c Scientific Deep Freezer Vertical -2Nos

  • Refrigerator (150ltr)
  • Refrigerator (350ltr)
  • LN2 container - 2 Nos (50ltr)

New Brunswick Scientific-U570 (USA)& Thermofisher Scientific
Blue Star (India)
Vest frost (Germany) & Panasonic (Japan)
Whirlpool
LG
Thermo Fisher scientific (USA)
Pipettes:
  • Serological pipette
  • Calibrated Micro Pipettes-6 sets (10µl, 20µl, 100µl & 1000µl)
  • Calibrated Multi Channel Pipette(10µl)
  • E4 XLS Electronic Multichannel Pipette

Eppendorf
Eppendorf
 
Nichipet-7000 (Japan)
Rainin
 
Others:
  • Digital PH meter
  • Bar coding system-DATAMAX E 4204
  • Hybridization Oven
  • Laminar Flow Units (2 Nos)
  • Incubator
  • Dry Bath
  • Water Bath-2Nos
  • Precision Weighing Scale
  • Cyclo Mixer (3 Nos)
  • Autoclave Unit (Vertical)- 2 Nos
  • Microwave –oven
 

HANNA
Bartech systems and automations
Thermo Fisher scientific
Lab Line( India)
Kemi ( India)
Remi ( India)
Kemi ( India)
Citizen
Remi ( India)
Lab Line and REMI( India)
IFB
 

Services

Special immunodiagnostic tests are offered at Centre for Advanced Neurological Research

  • NMO/MOG IgG test by Indirect immunofluorescence(IIFT)
  • Autoimmune Encephalitis Mosaic1 IIFT test
  • CSF Oligoclonal Band test
  • Paraneoplastic Neurologic Syndrome test
  • Paraprotein Detection
  • CD19 and CD27 count by flow cytometry
  • Stem cell enumeration-viable CD34 count by flow cytometry

Ongoing clinical drug trials

  • COMB157G2399- : An open label, single arm, multi centre extension study evaluating long- term safety, tolerability of Ofatumumab in subjects with relapsing multiple sclerosis. Study sponsor: Novartis healthcare private Ltd Year: 2019-2022.
  • PERSEUS/EFC16035- : A phase 3, randomized, double-blind, efficacy and safety study comparing SAR442168 to placebo in participants with primary progressive multiple sclerosis. Study sponsor: Sanofi Healthcare India Private Ltd Year: 2021-2024.
  • PERSEUS/EFC166455- : A phase 3, randomized, double-blind, efficacy and safety study comparing SAR442168 to placebo in participants with non-relapsing secondary progressive multiple sclerosis. Study sponsor: Sanofi Healthcare India Private Ltd Year: 2021-2024.

Achievements

Dr Lekha Pandit

  • National Academy of sciences India (NASI) fellowship for pioneering work involving Neurology/Neuroimmunology from Department of Science & Technology, Government of India-2022.
  • Fulbright Nehru scholar (Academic & Professional Excellence)- 2018-2019 Visiting Professor of Neurology, Harvard Medical School, Boston, USA - 2018- 2019.
  • Secretary , Pan Asian committee for treatment and research in MS (PACTRIMS) 2022-present
  • Member(nominated), International Panel for classification of Myelin Oligodendrocyte Glycoprotein Antibody Diseases (MOGAD) 2022-present
  • Member (Invited), International clinical consortium, Guthy Jackson Neuromyelitis Optica foundation, USA- 2011- current
  • Member (nominated), Central organizing committee. Pan Asian committee for Treatment and research in MS (PACTRIMS) - 2013- current.
  • Member (nominated), Medical Board, Multiple sclerosis International federation (MSIF), UK. Federation (MSIF) - 2011-2019.
  • Fulbright Nehru scholar (Academic & Professional Excellence)- 2018-2019 Visiting Professor of Neurology, Harvard Medical School, Boston, USA - 2018- 2019)
  • Member (Invited), International clinical consortium ,Guthy Jackson Neuromyelitis Optica foundation, USA- 2011- current
  • Member (nominated), Central organizing committee . Pan Asian committee for Treatment a& research in MS (PACTRIMS)- 2013- current.
  • Member (nominated), Medical Board, Multiple sclerosis International federation (MSIF),UK. Federation( MSIF)- 2011-2019.

News

  1. Dr Lekha Pandit was invited as speaker on the Global Perspectives in MS panel at the annual ACTRIMS Resident Summit 2024, held at West Palm Beach Florida, USA from February 28th to March 2nd 2024.


    Dr Lekha Pandit interacting with residents of Indian origin at the ACTRIMS 2024 pre-summit forum at Florida

  2. Dr Lekha Pandit was nominated by the IPND Executive Committee, to participate in the International Panel for NMOSD Diagnosis (IPND) 2025 Project as a member of the Steering Committee (SC) – Coordinating Branch. January 2024.

  3. Dr Lekha Pandit, is invited as a speaker at the Sri Lanka Committee for Treatment and Research in Multiple sclerosis & Related Disorders (SLCTRIMS) Fifth Annual Congress, held in Collaboration with the European Charcot Foundation (ECF) on 20th-21st January 2024.

  4. Dr Lekha Pandit gave a talk on Demystifying NMOSD and MOGAD- The first patient webinar organized by the Sumaira Foundation USA on 1-12-2023.

    Please find the link below: : Demystifying NMOSD & MOGAD: An Expert Perspective for Patient


  5. Dr Lekha Pandit was a panellist at the virtual ACTRIMS young scientist summit 2023 held at Scottsdale, Arizona in the global perspective session, November 2023.

  6. Dr Lekha Pandit was invited to speak at the 15th PanAsian committee on treatment and research (Pactrims) meeting held at Perth, Australia in November 2023.



  7. Dr Lekha Pandit delivered a talk at ECTRIMS 2023 in the section Comorbidities across the regions titled “Comorbidities associated with MS and related disorders in the PACTRIMS region” at MSMilan2023, 9th JOINT ECTRIMS-ACTRIMS Meeting held in Milan, Italy, 11-13 October 2023.

  8. Dr Lekha Pandit presented poster entitles Assessing the performance of cell based assays for MOGAD in the real world setting of a resource poor region-impact of the international MOGAD diagnostic criteria at MSMilan2023, 9th JOINT ECTRIMS-ACTRIMS Meeting held in Milan, Italy, 11-13 October 2023.
  9. Siritho S, Pandit L and Matiello M . Editorial: MOGAD, current knowledge and future trends. Front. Neurol. 2023, 14:1283217. doi: 10.3389/fneur.2023.1283217

  10. Dr Lekha Pandit was invited to the annual MOGAD round table conference at Harvard Medical School,Boston,USA.September 2023.


  11. Dr Lekha Pandit, Professor of Neurology and Director, Centre for Advanced Neurological Research, Nitte (Deemed to be University) has been nominated to join "The Sumair Foundation's" international Medical Advisory Board as the first NMOSD/MOGAD expert from India and South Asia.


  12. Pandit L, D’Cunha A, Malli C and Sudhir A. Comparison of live and fixed cell-based assay performance: implications for the diagnosis of MOGAD in a low-middle income country. Front. Immunol. 14:1252650, 2023. doi: 10.3389/fimmu.2023.1252650.
  13. Dr Lekha Pandit delivered a talk on “Diagnosis of MOGAD-The International proposed criteria “ at ICTRIMS , annual conference of the autoimmune subsection of the Indian academy of Neurology, held at New Delhi ,18-20th,August 2023.


  14. Dr Lekha Pandit was awarded the Sumaira Spark award 2023 for publication of paper titled "Helicobacter pylori infection may influence prevalence and disease course in myelin oligodendrocyte glycoprotein antibody associated disorder (MOGAD) similar to MS but not AQP4-IgG associated NMOSD" in Frontiers in Immunology journal by The Sumaira foundation-USA.
  15. Dr Lekha Pandit Spoke at the International Pediatric ECHO MS meeting - an International online teaching platform organized by the MS society of USA. Treatment Challenges in Pediatric Multiple Sclerosis- case presentation and discussion. on 26-06-2023.
  16. Dr Lekha Pandit was the panelist for the WORLD MULTIPLE SCLEROSIS DAY 2023- Interactive patient education program organised by the Indian Academy of Neurology & Autoimmune Disorders subsection of IAN on May 28th 2023, 6:00-7:30 PM . https://www.youtube.com/live/AvbGr85t7FY?feature=share
  17. Dr Lekha Pandit, Professor of Neurology and Director, Centre for Advanced Neurological Research, Nitte (Deemed to be University) has delivered global health lecture on 30th March 2023 virtually via zoom for faculty, residents, and students of Neurology and Neuroscience at Massachusetts General Hospital/Harvard Medical School, Boston.

    https://www.dropbox.com/scl/fi/rfwxxdt9uyk17olybphve/2023.03.30_Demyelinating-Disease_Lekha-Pandit.mp4?rlkey=lp60ta0k6xxjwsdci4ka3fo9z&dl=0


  18. Dr Lekha Pandit was invited to give a lecture on "Management of Pediatric Optic nerve inflammation and the occasion" for the Kakrala Subbha Rao endowment lecture at LV Prasad Institute, Hyderabad.

  19. Banwell B, Bennett JL, Marignier R, KimH J, Brilot F, Flanagan EP, Ramanathan S, Waters P, Tenembaum S, Graves J S, Chitnis T, Brandt AU, Hemingway C, Neuteboom R, Pandit L, Reindl M, Saiz A, Sato D K, Rostasy K, Paul F, Pittock S J,Fujihara K, Palace J Diagnosis of myelin oligodendrocyte glycoprotein antibody-associated disease: International MOGAD Panel proposed criteria. Lancet Neurology 2023:
    DOI: 10.1016/S1474-4422(22)00431-8
  20. Dr. Lekha Pandit, Professor of Neurology and Director of Centre for Advanced Neuroscience Research, was felicitated by Nitte (Deemed to be University) on being awarded the prestigious Fellowship of the National Academy of Science India (NASI). The felicitation ceremony was held on 21st December 2022 at 11:30AM in the Avishkar (7th Floor, ABSMIDS)

  21. Dr Lekha Pandit secretory PACTRIMS was invited to speak at PACTRIMS 2022 for “Infection, Immunology and Inflammatory Demyelination: at the Crossroads” session, on the topic titled “Vaccination, MS and immunotherapy – a practical, evidence-based approach” in Singapore on 24-26 November.
  22. Dr Lekha Pandit presented a poster titled "Impact of COVID-19 infection and Covid vaccinations on the management of MS and related disorders in low middle income country-Real world experience from a demyelinating disease registry". at the 38th Congress of the European Committee for Treatment and Research in Multiple Sclerosis (ECTRIMS 2022), held in Amsterdam, The Netherlands from 26-28 October 2022
  23. Dr Lekha Pandit was invited as a panelist for the 2022 GJCF Pre-ECTRIMS NMOSD symposium for a session on the topic titled " Addressing Unmet Needs in NMOSD & MOGAD Healthcare-Global Access to Serology & Therapeutics"" at Hilton Amsterdam, Netherlands on 25th October 2022
  24. Dr Lekha Pandit, Professor of Neurology and Director, Centre for Advanced Neurological Research, Nitte (Deemed to be University) has been awarded the prestigious fellowship of the National Academy of Sciences India(NASI) for her pioneering work involving Neurology/Neuroimmunology.
  25. The paper titled "Clostridium bolteae is elevated in neuromyelitis optica spectrum disorder in India and shares sequence similarity with AQP4. Neurology-Neuroimmunology Neuroinflammation. 2021 Jan 1;8(1). has been selected for the Best Paper Award 2022 for KSHEMA. The award ceremony was held on Friday, 30-12-2022 at 1:00PM @ 'Avishkar', 7th Floor, ABSMIDS Citation: Pandit L, Cox LM, Malli C, D'Cunha A, Rooney T, Lokhande H, Willocq V, Saxena S, Chitnis T. Impact Factor: 11.360

Patent

  1. Dr Lekha Pandit received a patent for the invention of “A NOVEL CELL BASED IMMUNOASSAY FOR DIAGNOSIS OF NEUROMYELITIS OPTICA SPECTRUM DISORDER”

Invited lectures:

  • Dr Lekha Pandit was invited to give a lecture on "Management of Pediatric Optic nerve inflammation and the occasion" for the Kakrala Subbha Rao endowment lecture at LV Prasad Institute, Hyderabad on 17th March 2023.
  • Dr Lekha Pandit has been invited to give annual lecture dedicated to global health at Massachusetts General Hospital/Harvard Medical School, Boston for the 2022-2023 academic year.
  • Dr Lekha Pandit secretary PACTRIMS was invited to speak at PACTRIMS 2022 for “Infection, Immunology and Inflammatory Demyelination: at the Crossroads” session, on the topic titled “Vaccination, MS and immunotherapy – a practical, evidence-based approach”   in Singapore on 24-26 November2022.
  • Dr Lekha Pandit was invited to present a talk on " Diagnosis and treatment of Myelin Oligodendrocyte Glycoprotein antibody associated disease (MOGAD)" at the 18th Asian Oceanian Congress of Neurology and 29th Annual conference of the Indian Academy of Neurology (AOCN-IANCON2022) on 4th November 2022 at J W Marriott Hotel Aerocity, New Delhi
  • Dr Lekha Pandit was invited as a panelist for the 2022 GJCF ,Pre-ECTRIMS NMOSD symposium for a session on the topic titled " Addressing Unmet Needs in NMOSD & MOGAD Healthcare-Global Access to Serology & Therapeutics"" at Hilton Amsterdam, Netherlands on 25th October 2022.
  •  Dr Lekha Pandit presented a poster titled "Impact of COVID-19 infection and Covid vaccinations on the management of MS and related disorders in low middle income country-Real world experience from a demyelinating disease registry". At the 38th Congress of the European Committee for Treatment and Research in Multiple Sclerosis (ECTRIMS 2022), held in Amsterdam, The Netherlands from 26-28 October 2022
  • Dr Lekha Pandit was invited to attend and present at the international Roundtable Conference on Myelin oligodendrocyte glycoprotein associated disorders (MOGAD) at Boston USA on 29th-30th September 2022.
  • Dr Lekha Pandit took part in the International pediatric ECHO-MS educational program- Part 2 as faculty, conducted virtually on 13/06/2022.
  • Dr Lekha Pandit was invited as faculty for the ” World Multiple Sclerosis Day” Public Education Program conducted by Indian Academy of Neurology on 30th May 2022.
  • Dr Lekha Pandit delivered a lecture on “Differentiating MS from other white matter diseases- A practical Approach" in 6th annual conference of Telangana Neurosciences society TNSCON-2022 . Held on 5th, 6th March 2022 at Warangal, Telangana state.
  • Dr Lekha Pandit delivered a lecture on “Diagnosis and management of demyelinating CNS disorders – a case based approach” on the web series of Neuro Master’s Classs Season -3 for DM/DNB students held on 7th February from 7.00 to 9.00 PM.
  • Dr Lekha Pandit, participated as a HUB Team Faculty Member for the International Pediatric ECHO MS Program on 01-02-2022. Dr. Pandit worked with fellow ECHO HUB team members and co-directors to design a well-rounded and interactive curriculum and facilitate a 90-minute session on the topic of “Pediatric-Onset Multiple Sclerosis”. This is a partnered CME initiative between the International Pediatric Multiple Sclerosis Study Group (IPMSSG) and the National Multiple Sclerosis Society (NMSS) designed to foster global collaboration and increase pediatric MS and related demyelinating disease expertise through sharing evidence-based best practices, contemporary research, and patient cases.
  • Dr Lekha Pandit delivered an invited lecture titled "Serological diagnosis of NMOSD and MOGAD: Practical considerations and limitations" at IAN CON 2021 held in Hybrid mode on 14-11-2021.
  • Dr Lekha Pandit was invited to speak at the 13th Pan Asian Committee for Treatment and Research in Multiple Sclerosis (PACTRIMS) Congress 2021 program on “The Gut environmental factors and MS and NMO” which was held in digital mode from 26th to 28th November 2021.
  • Dr Lekha Pandit was invited as speaker on A WEBINAR ON MULTIPLE SCLEROSIS-PANEL DISCUSSION. A public awareness and education programme and advice by experts on different aspects of multiple sclerosis conducted by Indian Academy of Neurology on WORLD BRAIN DAY on 22-07-2021
  • Dr Lekha Pandit was invited to speak at the 8th European committee for Treatment and Research in Multiple Sclerosis (ECTRIMS) Focused Workshop 2021 on “The Risk of Infections for MS Disease Modifying Treatments (DMTs)” which was held fully digital on 14 and 21 April 2021
  • Dr Lekha Pandit, was invited as speaker at Pan-Asian Committee for Treatment and Research in Multiple Sclerosis (PACTRIMS) inaugural educational webinar PACTMAN series 01 held Virtual on 29-04-2021

Conference presentations:

  • Malli C, D’Cunha A, Sudhir A, Pandit L. Modulation of immune system by Helicobacter pylori infection in the pathogenesis of multiple sclerosis and related disorders- Oral presentation at IABMASCON2021 , Nitte (Deemed to be University)
  • D’Cunha A, Malli C, Sudhir A, Pandit L. Cerebrospinal fluid evaluation distinguishes multiple sclerosis from other autoimmune demyelinating CNS disorders- Oral presentation at IABMASCON2021, Nitte (Deemed to be University)

New publications:

  • Sasitorn S, Pandit L, Matteo M. Editorial: MOGAD current knowledge and future trend. Front Neurol DOI 10.3389/fneur.2023.1283217
  • Pandit L, D'Cunha A, Malli C, Sudhir A. Comparison of live and fixed cell- based assay performance - Implications in the diagnosis of MOGAD in a low- middle income country. Front Immunol. DOI; 10.3389/fimmu.2023.1252650
  • Malli C, Pandit L, D'Cunha A, Sudhir A. Helicobacter pylori infection may influence prevalence and disease course in myelin oligodendrocyte glycoprotein antibody associated disorder (MOGAD) similar to MS but not AQP4-IgG associated NMOSD. Front Immunol. 2023; 14:1162248. doi: 10.3389/fimmu.2023.1162248. 
  • Paul F, Marignier R, Palace J, Arrambide G, Asgari N, Bennett JL, Cree BAC, De Sèze J, Fujihara K, Kim HJ, Hornby R, Huda S, Kissani N, Kleiter I, Kuwabara S, Lana-Peixoto M, Law L, Leite MI, Pandit L, Pittock SJ, Quan C, Ramanathan S, Rotstein D, Saiz A, Sato DK, Vaknin-Dembinsky A. International Delphi Consensus on the Management of AQP4-IgG+ NMOSD: Recommendations for Eculizumab, Inebilizumab, and Satralizumab. Neurol Neuroimmunol Neuroinflamm. 2023;10(4):e200124. doi: 10.1212/NXI.0000000000200124.
  • Asseyer S, Asgari N, Bennett J, Bialer O,Blanco Y, Bosello F, Camos-Carreras A,Carnero Contentti E, Carta S, Chen J, Chien C,Chomba M, Dale RC, Dalmau J, Feldmann K,Flanagan EP, Froment Tilikete C,Garcia-Alfonso C, Havla J, Hellmann M, Kim HJ,Klyscz P, Konietschke F, La Morgia C,Lana-Peixoto M, Leite MI, Levin N, Levy M,Llufriu S, Lopez P, Lotan I, Lugaresi A,Marignier R, Mariotto S, Mollan SP, Ocampo C,Cosima Oertel F, Olszewska M, Palace J, Pandit L, Peralta Uribe JL, Pittock S, Ramanathan S, Rattanathamsakul N, Saiz A, Samadzadeh S, Sanchez-Dalmau B, Saylor D, Scheel M, Schmitz-Hübsch T, Shifa J, Siritho S,Sperber PS, Subramanian PS, Tiosano A, Vaknin-Dembinsky A, Mejia Vergara AJ,Wilf-Yarkoni A, Zarco LA, Zimmermann HG,Paul F and Stiebel-Kalish H. The Acute Optic Neuritis Network (ACON): Study protocol of a non-interventional prospective multicentre study on diagnosis and treatment of acute optic neuritis. Front. Neurol. 2023;14:1102353. doi.org/10.3389/fneur.2023.1102353.
  • Oertel FC, Zimmermann HG, Motamedi S, Chien C, Aktas O, Albrecht P, Ringelstein M, Dcunha A, Pandit L, Martinez-Lapiscina EH, Sanchez-Dalmau B, Villoslada P, Palace J, Roca-Fernández A, Leite MI, Sharma SM, Leocani L, Pisa M, Radaelli M, Lana-Peixoto MA, Fontenelle MA, Havla J, Ashtari F, Kafieh R, Dehghani A, Pourazizi M, Marignier R, Cobo-Calvo A, Asgari N, Jacob A, Huda S, Mao-Draayer Y, Green AJ, Kenney R, Yeaman MR, Smith TJ, Cook L, Brandt AU, Paul F, Petzold A. Diagnostic value of intereye difference metrics for optic neuritis in aquaporin-4 antibody seropositive neuromyelitis optica spectrum disorders. J Neurol Neurosurg Psychiatry. 2023 Feb 21:jnnp-2022-330608. doi: 10.1136/jnnp-2022-330608.
  • Banwell B, Bennett JL, Marignier R, Kim HJ, Brilot F, Flanagan EP, Ramanathan S, Waters P, Tenembaum S, Graves JS, Chitnis T, Brandt AU, Hemingway C, Neuteboom R, Pandit L, Reindl M, Saiz A, Sato DK, Rostasy K, Paul F, Pittock SJ, Fujihara K, Palace J. Diagnosis of myelin oligodendrocyte glycoprotein antibody-associated disease: International MOGAD Panel proposed criteria. Lancet Neurol. 2023 Jan 24:S1474-4422(22)00431-8. doi: 10.1016/S1474-4422(22)00431-8. PMID: 36706773.
  • Petzold A, Fraser CL, Abegg M, Alroughani R, Alshowaeir D, Alvarenga R, Andris C, Asgari N, Barnett Y, Battistella R, Behbehani R, Berger T, Bikbov MM, Biotti D, Biousse V, Pandit L, Paul F, etal. Diagnosis and classification of optic neuritis. Lancet Neurol. 2022:S1474-4422(22)00200-9. doi: 10.1016/S1474-4422(22)00200-9
  • Pandit L, D'Cunha A, UM Puneeth. Incidence and Prevalence of Neuromyelitis Optica Spectrum Disorders in the background of International Consensus Diagnostic Criteria ? A Systematic Review." Neurol India 2022
  • Pandit L, Akshatha S, Malli C, D'Cunha A. COVID-19 infection and vaccination against COVID- 19: Impact on managing demyelinating CNS disorders in Southern India-Experience from a demyelinating disease registry. Mult Scler Relat Disord. 2022 Jul 5:104033. doi: 10.1016/j.msard.2022.104033
  • Pandit L. Women with Central Nervous System Demyelinating Disorders: Special Needs in Pregnancy and Child Birth. In: Clinical Practice of Multiple Sclerosis and Related Disorders. Second Edn. Bhatia R, Srivastava MVP (Eds.). KWX Communications Pvt. Ltd. New Delhi, India. 2022:232-42
  • Pandit L. Demyelinating disorders of the Central Nervous System. In: Kamath S (ed). API Textbook of Medicine.12th ed. Jaypee Brothers; 2022
  • Tur C, Dubessy AL, Otero-Romero S, Amato MP, Derfuss T, Di Pauli F, Iacobaeus E, Mycko M, Abboud H, Achiron A, Bellinvia A, Boyko A, Casanova JL, Clifford D, Dobson R, Farez MF, Filippi M, Fitzgerald KC, Fonderico M, Gouider R, Hacohen Y, Hellwig K, Hemmer B, Kappos L, Ladeira F, Lebrun-Frénay C, Louapre C, Magyari M, Mehling M, Oreja-Guevara C, Pandit L, Papeix C, Piehl F, Portaccio E, Ruiz-Camps I, Selmaj K, Simpson-Yap S, Siva A et al. The risk of infections for multiple sclerosis and neuromyelitis optica spectrum disorder disease-modifying treatments: Eighth European Committee for Treatment and Research in Multiple Sclerosis Focused Workshop Review. April 2021. Mult Scler. 2022 Feb 23:13524585211069068. doi: 10.1177/13524585211069068
  • Pandit L. Managing Multiple sclerosis and allied disorders during COVID-19 pandemic. In P N Sylaja (eds). Reviews in Neurology, New Delhi:Wolters Kluwer(India), Indian Academy of Neurology CME Publication; 2021: 49-56
  • Lu A, Zimmermann HG, Specovius S, Motamedi S, Chien C, Bereuter C, Lana-Peixoto MA, Fontenelle MA, Ashtari F, Kafieh R, Dehghani A, Pourazizi M, Pandit L, D'Cunha A, Kim HJ, Hyun JW, Jung SK, Leocani L, Pisa M, Radaelli M, Siritho S, May EF, Tongco C, De Sèze J, Senger T, Palace J, Roca-Fernández A, Leite MI, Sharma SM, Stiebel-Kalish H, Asgari N, Soelberg KK, Martinez-Lapiscina EH, Havla J, Mao-Draayer Y, Rimler Z, Reid A, Marignier R, Cobo-Calvo A, Altintas A, Tanriverdi U, Yildirim R, Aktas O, Ringelstein M, Albrecht P, Tavares IM, Bichuetti DB, Jacob A, Huda S, Soto de Castillo I, Petzold A, Green AJ, Yeaman MR, Smith TJ, Cook L, Paul F, Brandt AU, Oertel FC; GJCF International Clinical Consortium for NMOSD. Astrocytic outer retinal layer thinning is not a feature in AQP4-IgG seropositive neuromyelitis optica spectrum disorders. J Neurol Neurosurg Psychiatry. 2021 Oct 28:jnnp-2021-327412. doi: 10.1136/jnnp-2021-327412
  • Oertel FC, Specovius S, Zimmermann HG, Chien C, Motamedi S, Bereuter C, Cook L, Lana Peixoto MA, Fontanelle MA, Kim HJ, Hyun JW, Palace J, Roca-Fernandez A, Leite MI, Sharma S, Ashtari F, Kafieh R, Dehghani A, Pourazizi M, Pandit L, D'Cunha A, Aktas O, Ringelstein M, Albrecht P, May E, Tongco C, Leocani L, Pisa M, Radaelli M, Martinez-Lapiscina EH, Stiebel-Kalish H, Siritho S, de Seze J, Senger T, Havla J, Marignier R, Calvo AC, Bichuetti D, Tavares IM, Asgari N, Soelberg K, Altintas A, Yildirim R, Tanriverdi U, Jacob A, Huda S, Rimler Z, Reid A, Mao-Draayer Y, Soto de Castillo I, Petzold A, Green AJ, Yeaman MR, Smith T, Brandt AU, Paul F. Retinal Optical Coherence Tomography in Neuromyelitis Optica. Neurol Neuroimmunol Neuroinflamm. 2021;8(6):e1068. doi: 10.1212/NXI.0000000000001068
  • Pandit L, Malli C, D’Cunha A, Sudhir A. Overcoming the challenges in diagnosis of AQP4-IgG positive neuromyelitis optica spectrum disorders in resource poor settings using an indigenized and cost effective cell based assay . Journal of Neuroimmunology 2021 360:577706. doi: 10.1016/j.jneuroim.2021.577706
  • Pandit L, Malli C, D'Cunha A, Sudhir A. Overcoming the challenges in diagnosis of AQP4-IgG positive neuromyelitis optica spectrum disorders in resource poor settings using an indigenized and cost effective cell based assay. J Neuroimmunol. 2021;360:577706. doi: 10.1016/j.jneuroim.2021.577706
  • Pandit L. Fair and equitable treatment for multiple sclerosis in resource-poor regions: The need for off-label therapies and regional treatment guidelines. Mult Scler 2021; 27(9):1320-1322. doi: 10.1177/13524585211028806
  • Malli C, Pandit L, D’Cunha A, Sudhir A . Coexistence of autoantibodies and other autoimmune diseases with Multiple Sclerosis and related disorders – Experience from the Mangalore Demyelinating Disease Registry (MANDDIR). Ann Indian Acad Neurol 2021 DOI: 10.4103/aian.AIAN_170_21
  • Pandit L, Malli C, D’Cunha A, Sudhir A. Role of Viral Infections in Multiple Sclerosis pathogenesis among Indian Population. Neurol India2021;69:681-5
  • Malli C, Pandit L, D’Cunha A, Sudhir A . Coexistence of autoantibodies and other autoimmune diseases with Multiple Sclerosis and related disorders – Experience from the Mangalore Demyelinating Disease Registry (MANDDIR). Ann Indian Acad Neurol 2021 DOI:10.4103/aian.AIAN_170_21
  • Soares-dos-Reis R , Li Tsz-Ching J , Kim S H, Jacob A , Whittam D , Berthelot E , Paul F,Nakashima I , Noi Tye JS, De Seze J, Jitprapaikulsan J , Tan K , Yang L , Elsone L , IsabelLeite M , Mealy M A , Levy M , Fan M , Siebert N , Asgari N , Cabre P , Siritho S , Pittock S J, Wing-Ho SC , Senger T , Yeo T, Takai Y , Pandit L , Kim H J , Palace J , The Asian and African/Caribbean AQP4-NMOSD patient outcomes according to self-identified race and place of residence, Mult Scler Relat Disord 2021, doi: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.msard.2021.103080
  • Pandit L, Mustafa S. Epidemiology and clinical features of demyelinating disorders in India.Neurology and Clinical Neuroscience 2021: https://doi.org/10.1111/ncn3.12488
  • D’Cunha A, Pandit L, Malli C, Sudhir A. Evaluating the role of HLA DRB1 alleles and oligoclonal bands in influencing clinical course of Multiple Sclerosis– A study from the Mangalore demyelinating disease registry. Ann Indian Acad Neurol 2021:DOI:10.4103/aian.AIAN_508_20