The neuroplasticity lab at the Central Institute of Psychiatry (CIP) in Kanke, Ranchi. SOURCE: CIP
The Central Institute of Psychiatry (CIP) in Kanke, Ranchi, will soon be the country’s first mental health institution with a neuroplasticity lab.
The trial run of the lab is underway and it is likely to become operational in mid-June.
“CIP Ranchi a premier mental health institution of the country. The exclusive neuroplasticity lab would pave the way towards searching for biological markers for various psychiatric disorders and also provide a window to peep into the functioning of the brain,” director Basudeb Das said.
“We would be the first neuroplasticity lab in the country to use a real-time virtual environment with high-end projections across all the walls in the experiment room. This apart, we are the only set-up to use wireless assessment and interventions on individuals wherein the individuals will be free to roam around as it would not interfere with the recording or procedure,” said Nishant Goyal, in-charge of the neuroplasticity lab and Centre for Cognitive Neurosciences (CCN).
Assessment techniques such as functional near-infrared spectroscopy and electroencephalography will be used along with neuromodulation techniques such as high-definition transcranial stimulation and neurofeedback to understand the mechanism and functioning of brain in various neuropsychiatric conditions.
The institution observed World Schizophrenia Day with an awareness programme on May 24. The director of CPI, Basudeb Das, addressed the audience about the disease. He spoke about the symptoms, role of genetics, family and environment, and the corresponding levels of care required in schizophrenia.
Priyanka Lenka, assistant professor of clinical psychology, spoke about schizophrenia, its causes, symptoms, diagnostic criteria, world and Indian scenario, details about care required and pharmacological and psychosocial treatment.