Delhi hospital gets India’s first brain mapping technology

Delhi’s IBS Hospital now enjoys the singular distinction of launching the first brain mapping device connectomics/Quicktome in India.

The introduction of personalised brain mapping will help in making treatment of brain tumour and other surgeries related to the brain much safer while its accuracy will ensure that damage to brain areas is avoided.

Sharing details about the technology Dr Sachin Kandhari, Neurosurgeon and Managing Director, IBS Hospital said: “While some of the brain networks alone explain their namesake function entirely, most complex functions are the result of inter-network interactions. Deeper analysis delineates specific sub-networks responsible for specific tasks, comprising subcomponents of often multiple main networks.”

Networks in the brain, Kandhari said, are responsible for everything from language to movement to thought, and mapping of this vital organ helps in surgical decision-making with the objective of protecting and preserving brain function. “This path-breaking technology is paving the way to not only potentially treat a plethora of ailments pertaining to brain functioning, pre and post operatively, but also to retrieve to its normal functioning.”

By using advanced algorithms Quicktome analyses data points numbering in millions and creates a brain map for each patient from non-invasive and standard MRI scans. The generated maps can be seen on computers by the doctors providing them details about the organ which are generally not available, allowing them to do informed neurosurgical planning.

These maps can also help in diagnosing ailment. For example, in case of mental illness brain network biomarkers can highlight accurately the regions where there is anomaly and with instant provision of quantitative data, further course of treatment can be decided.