New Advances in Neurology: Hope for Patients

Neurological disorders, whether it’s epilepsy, Parkinson’s, stroke, multiple sclerosis, or traumatic brain injury (TBI), have always posed some of the most complex challenges in medicine. But things are changing. Advances in neurology are shifting the future of care by providing earlier diagnosis, better treatment outcomes, and improved quality of life for patients.

If you or a loved one has been diagnosed with a neurological condition, here’s how new developments are redefining the future of care and hope for patients.

1. Faster, More Accurate Diagnosis

Early and accurate diagnosis is vital in neurology. Many neurological conditions, particularly degenerative ones, occur silently in the initial stages. Missed diagnoses or delayed diagnoses can complicate care.

Fortunately, in addition to technological advancements in imaging, there are other players.

• AI and computer assistance now provide neurologists with the opportunity to analyze MRIs and CT scans, finding patterns that human eyes may not see. 
• Functional MRI (or fMRI) and PET scans can track brain activity in real time, allowing specialists the greater opportunity to diagnose conditions  such as Alzheimer’s and epilepsy, but even psychotic disorders with more certainty. 
• Blood biomarkers are emerging; blood tests to identify risk of disease like Alzheimer’s  before symptoms surface and offering preventive care will soon be undertaking the formality of disease facing the future.

2. Improved Stroke Care and Recovery

Stroke is the leading cause of disability in India, and when it happens, time is everything but things are getting better for both acute care and recovery.

The procedure called mechanical thrombectomy, in which doctors remove a clot from the brain, is more widely available in hospitals and the treatment window has been changed from 4.5 hours to hours.

• Telestroke units link patients in rural areas with neurology specialists using video and imaging platforms, which are essential for addressing the need for speedy care.
• Rehabilitation technologies such as robotic-assisted physiotherapy and virtual reality and gaming-based programs are also enhancing post-stroke care with more immediate and impactful recovery and return to independence.

3. Personalized Treatments for Epilepsy and Seizure Disorders

Not all people with epilepsy respond well to standard medications. Advances in genetic testing and brain mapping mean that neurologists now have the tools to find the right method of treatment for each person.

Responsive Neurostimulation (RNS) is an implantable device placed into brain tissue. RNS detects abnormal electrical activity in the brain and responds to it, stopping or preventing a seizure.

For drug-resistant cases of epilepsy, laser ablation surgery offers a minimally invasive way to accurately laser the specific part of the brain where the abnormal activity is located and minimize/stop seizure activity with fewer side effects and interventions.

4. Parkinson’s Disease and Movement Disorders

Parkinson’s disease treatment has traditionally focused on medications, most commonly levodopa. Unfortunately, these can complicate later treatments, especially with long-term use.

Advancements have been exciting and offer hope for patients to better manage their disease and symptoms:

• Deep Brain Stimulation (DBS) is continuing to improve and we are now creating devices that will self-adjust based on movement patterns in real time.
• We are also developing new forms of drug delivery, like skin patches and inhalers, to better deliver dopamine more evenly.
• Stem cell therapies are being developed, and although still in the earliest stages, the results of these initial studies have been worthwhile as we establish therapy focused on repairing the damaged dopamine-producing neurons. 

5. Multiple Sclerosis (MS): Slowing Progression

Multiple Sclerosis is a chronic condition caused by the immune system attacking the protective covering of the nerves.

Advances include:

• B-cell targeted therapies, such as Ocrelizumab, have been effective at reducing relapse rates and further delaying progression of the disease. 
• Research into remyelination is advancing as well, with researchers considering new ways of targeting drugs that may aid the body in rebuilding the damaged covering around the nerves. 
• Digital tools such as mobile apps and wearable sensors are allowing patients to better track their fatigue, mobility, and more, while allowing their physician to adjust a patient’s care plan in the moment.

6. Neuroplasticity-Based Rehabilitation

Neuroplasticity, the brain’s ability to rewire itself after injury or disease, is one of the most thrilling ideas offered by modern neurology. New therapies are helping realize this ability:

• Constraint-induced movement therapy (CIMT) leads stroke survivors to use the affected limb more often to stimulate brain pathways
• Brain-computer interfaces (BCIs) allow people with spinal cord injuries or ALS to move a cursor on a screen or operate devices with their thoughts.
• Programs that pair complex  training with physical therapy are resulting in better outcomes for memory and motor skill recovery among stroke and dementia patients.

7. Mental Health Meets Neurology

Conditions such as depression, anxiety, and PTSD are increasingly recognized as neurological disorders rather than simply emotional disorders, because of this:

• Advocating for Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation (TMS), a noninvasive procedure that uses magnetic fields to stimulate nerve cells in the brain.
• Developing ketamine-based treatments for treatment-resistant depression.
• Facilitating the integration of neurology and psychiatry into combined clinics for more complex cases.

8. Hope in Neurodegenerative Research

Although there is no cure for diseases like ALS (Lou Gehrig’s disease) or Huntington’s disease, the number of discoveries that offer hope has accelerated:

• Gene therapy is being studied to remove bad genes or add good genes.
• Antisense oligonucleotides (ASOs) are being successful at halting certain genetic types of ALS and Huntington’s.
• Clinical trials in India and worldwide are increasing access to these experimental but hopeful therapies.

At Sugam Hospital, we work hard to keep up with worldwide trends in the field of neurology to offer our patients world-class care right here in Chennai without delay. Our Neurologists take that education and combine it with modern technology, evidence-based medicine, and compassionate care in order to assist the patient with the diagnosis, treatment, and ongoing management of neurological disorders.

If you have a known issue that you have been managing, or wish to come to our best neurologist in Chennai for a second opinion, we look forward to working with you.