MICHIGAN (TIP): The Vattikuti Foundation, globally recognized for its pioneering work in robotic surgery, is poised to transform neurological care in India with a $2.8 million (INR 24 crore) donation to establish the Vattikuti Institute of Advanced Neurotechnology at the All India Institute of Medical Sciences (AIIMS) in New Delhi.
The initiative aims to address the urgent needs of patients suffering from movement disorders and neuro-psychiatric conditions by making advanced healthcare accessible to all. AIIMS will be the first public institution in India to house this cutting-edge facility.
The Southfield, Michigan, -based foundation was founded by Indian American entrepreneur and philanthropist Raj Vattikuti and his wife, Padma.
The newly established institute at AIIMS will be equipped with the state-of-the-art Neuroblate 650, also known as Exablate-Neuro, a high-intensity focused ultrasound device developed by Insightec, according to a press release by the foundation.
“This cutting-edge, non-invasive technology uses magnetic guidance to target and treat neurological conditions without the need for surgical incisions, providing an innovative alternative for millions of patients suffering from conditions like tremors,” the release stated.
India faces a substantial burden of movement disorders, with an estimated 30 million people affected by conditions such as essential tremor (ET), which can significantly disrupt daily life. Many ET patients find it difficult to perform simple tasks, like holding a cup of tea or a glass of water without spilling. While current treatments, including lifelong medications, are often accompanied by side effects and high costs, advanced surgical options like Deep Brain Stimulation (DBS) are invasive, expensive, and available only at specialized centers.
The Neuroblate 650 offers a transformative, non-invasive alternative that can treat tremors without surgery, providing lasting relief for approximately 60-70 percent of patients, according to the foundation. This treatment can be performed without anesthesia, allowing patients to return home the same day, free from the tremors that once dominated their lives.
“While the primary focus is on treating tremors, the potential of Exablate-Neuro extends beyond movement disorders,” the release noted. “The technology has already shown promise in treating Parkinson’s disease, neuropathic pain, epilepsy, and even enhancing the treatment of glioblastoma multiforme, a type of brain cancer, by disrupting the blood-brain barrier to allow chemotherapy access.”
The Vattikuti Foundation is committed to expanding these boundaries further by supporting cutting-edge research at the new institute, focusing on additional applications such as epilepsy and substance and alcohol addiction, the release said.
(Based on a press release)