IIT Kanpur Hosts NeuroTech Workshop Uniting Clinical, Computational, and Engineering Advances

IIT Kanpur hosted the 'Innovations in NeuroTech' workshop, uniting experts in clinical neuroscience, computational neuroscience, and neuro-engineering.

IIT Kanpur Hosts NeuroTech Workshop

The Indian Institute of Technology (IIT) Kanpur's Mehta Family Centre for Engineering in Medicine recently hosted the ‘Innovations in NeuroTech’ workshop, connecting experts from clinical neuroscience, computational neuroscience, and neuroengineering. Organised by Prof. Arjun Ramakrishnan, the workshop was supported by a seed grant from IIT Kanpur and Rice University, with contributions from the Jay Pullur Neuroscience Initiative and the Neuroscience Centre of Excellence. This event fostered interdisciplinary collaboration and embraced innovative strategies to drive advancements in neurotechnology.

The workshop began with a welcome address by Prof. Amitabha Bandyopadhyay, Head of the Department of Biological Sciences and Bioengineering (BSBE) at IIT Kanpur. Prof. Bandyopadhyay underscored the transformative potential of indigenous medical technology amidst the rapid advancements in the field. He also highlighted IIT Kanpur’s pivotal role in driving this progress through groundbreaking initiatives like the Gangwal School of Medical Science and Technology and the Mehta Family Centre for Engineering in Medicine.

The event showcased advancements in neurotechnology, focusing on implantable brain devices, closed-loop neuromodulation systems, and brain-machine interfaces. Participants emphasized the importance of computational models in enhancing device design, optimizing neuromodulation strategies, and improving clinical outcomes. A key theme of the workshop was the development of cost-effective and scalable neurotechnologies tailored to low-resource settings, highlighting the emphasis on accessibility and global impact.

The workshop featured two thematic sessions, the first being Innovations in Brain Monitoring, Implants, and Epilepsy Care. This session included presentations from prominent experts such as Dr. Harilal from AIMS, Kochi, and Dr. Nilesh Kurwale from DMH, Pune, who explored invasive neural monitoring techniques for epilepsy care in India, highlighting both the challenges and advancements in the country’s high-volume epilepsy surgeries. Prof. John Seymour (UTHealth) shared insights from the Rice-IIT Kanpur collaboration, presenting computational methods for optimizing electrode placement to enhance surgical outcomes. Maroun Farah, CEO of Sensomedical, introduced affordable, high-quality stereo EEG technology designed to improve accessibility. Prof. Nitin Tandon further enriched the session by presenting AI-based models that analyze stereo EEG (sEEG) data to interpret neural concepts critical for language processing in epilepsy patients.

The second session, Advances in Neuromodulation, delved into cutting-edge neuromodulation techniques. Prof. Behnaam Aazhang showcased the use of EEG and ECG-derived biomarkers to infer glymphatic flow, demonstrating how radiofrequency stimulation can enhance it. Prof. Pragathi Priyadarshini highlighted connections between vagal tone, electrogastrogram, and EEG signals, while Prof. Nikunj Bhagat presented passive brain-computer interfaces for closed-loop neuromodulation systems. Prof. Venkatasubramanian Ganesan introduced non-invasive stimulation technologies, including custom-designed tDCS devices, aimed at alleviating symptoms of treatment-resistant schizophrenia.

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