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.
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
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
- ANA Global test
- Granulocyte Mosaic13-ANCA test
- Paraprotein Detection
- Anti-thyroid antibody detection
- CD19 and CD27 count by flow cytometry
- Stem cell enumeration-viable CD34 count by flow cytometry