Neuropathology

The Department of Neurosciences has always had a close association with the Department of Pathology. The early stalwarts of Pathology – Drs. Edward Gault, Gordon Hadley and CS Small, took a keen interest in encouraging the subspecialty. In fact, as early as 1950, Dr. Edward Gault established one of the finest Neuropathology museums in the country. In the mid-1960s, Dr Sushil Chandy took over the work of Neuropathology, and was deputed to the Montreal Neurological Institute for further training. On his return from Montreal, he was responsible for diagnostic neuropathology.

The subspecialty was officially demarcated in 1992, when Dr Geeta Chacko (CMC MBBS Alumnus Batch of 1981) joined the unit on completion of her MD. She set up the Neuropathology Laboratory upgrading the diagnostic services for Neuroncology and Neuromuscular diseases and initiated muscle histochemistry and electron microscopy. Following a postdoctoral fellowship at the Baylor College of Medicine in Houston, Texas, from 1997-1999, she expanded the Neuropathology services particularly in Neuroncology.

The section of Neuropathology as it stands today is housed in the Department of Pathology. The Neuropathology Laboratory offers the entire range of diagnostic services related to neuro-oncology and neuromuscular disorders. The diagnostic facilities in neuro-oncology for brain and spinal cord tumors include tumour immunohistochemistry and molecular diagnostic tools such as fluorescence in situ hybridization (FISH), PCR and gene sequencing. Comprehensive work-up of skeletal muscle and peripheral nerve disorders includes muscle enzyme and immunohistochemistry and electron microscopy. Consultation services are also provided for centers from other parts of India and abroad.  

               The section offers in-house training to Pathology, Neurology and Neurosurgery residents, as well as provides training for residents and visiting pathologists from other centers. A two-year postdoctoral fellowship in Neuropathology was instituted in 2009 with the aim of providing pathologists with comprehensive and specialized training in various aspects of neuropathology diagnosis and research. The laboratory is presently carrying out research related to the pathobiology of three major groups of tumors, namely, gliomas, meningiomas and pituitary adenomas, with special reference to the molecular determinants of prognosis in these tumors. An externally funded (DST, Government of India) research project on C11orf95-RELA fusions in supratentorial ependymomas is ongoing.