National Neurosciences Centre

National Neurosciences Centre is a dedicated neurological hospital located in Kolkata, West Bengal, recognised as one of the leading centres for brain, spine, and nervous system care in eastern India. The institution provides comprehensive neurological and neurosurgical services, addressing the full spectrum of conditions affecting the brain, spinal cord, peripheral nerves, and neuromuscular system.

Founded to fill a critical gap in specialised neurological care in the eastern region, the centre brings together neurologists, neurosurgeons, neuroradiologists, neurophysiologists, and neuro-rehabilitation specialists under one roof, enabling multidisciplinary management of complex neurological disorders.

The hospital manages high volumes of stroke, epilepsy, Parkinson's disease, spinal cord injuries, brain tumours, and congenital neurological conditions. The neurosurgery department performs complex brain and spinal surgeries including tumour resections, aneurysm clipping, hydrocephalus shunting, and spinal decompression and fusion surgeries.

Kolkata's position as the principal medical hub of eastern India makes the National Neurosciences Centre the natural referral destination for neurological cases from West Bengal, Odisha, Bihar, Jharkhand, Assam, and the northeastern states, as well as from Bangladesh, Nepal, and Bhutan where neurosurgical expertise may be limited. The centre's academic and research activities contribute to advancing neurological knowledge relevant to the eastern Indian population.

National Neurosciences Centre offers a comprehensive range of neurological and neurosurgical subspecialties:

Neurology: Diagnosis and medical management of stroke and TIA, epilepsy, Parkinson's disease, multiple sclerosis, peripheral neuropathy, myasthenia gravis, Guillain-Barré syndrome, headache disorders, and dementia.

Neurosurgery: Cranial and spinal surgery including brain tumour resections (gliomas, meningiomas, metastases), aneurysm clipping, arteriovenous malformation (AVM) surgery, hydrocephalus management with VP shunting, skull base surgery, and stereotactic procedures.

Spine Surgery: Cervical and lumbar disc surgery, spinal decompression, spinal fusion, management of spinal tumours, spinal cord injuries, and scoliosis correction.

Epilepsy Services: Comprehensive epilepsy evaluation including EEG and video-EEG monitoring, neuroimaging, and surgical epilepsy programmes for drug-resistant epilepsy.

Stroke Services: Acute stroke unit with thrombolysis capabilities for ischaemic stroke, and neurovascular management of haemorrhagic stroke.

Neurophysiology: EEG, nerve conduction studies (NCS), electromyography (EMG), evoked potentials, and intraoperative neurophysiological monitoring.

Neuro-Rehabilitation: Post-stroke rehabilitation, traumatic brain injury rehabilitation, spinal rehabilitation, and neuromuscular rehabilitation programmes.

National Neurosciences Centre is equipped with advanced neurological diagnostic and therapeutic technology appropriate for a tertiary neurosciences centre.

Neuroimaging capabilities include MRI (with neurological protocols such as DWI, MR angiography, MR spectroscopy, and functional MRI) and CT scanning with CTA and CT perfusion for stroke assessment. Specialised neuroradiological workstations support image post-processing and planning for complex surgeries.

The neurosurgery operation theatres are fitted with operating microscopes for microsurgical procedures, neuronavigation systems for image-guided surgery, intraoperative ultrasound, and neurophysiological monitoring equipment for safe surgery in eloquent brain areas. C-arm fluoroscopy supports spinal procedures.

A dedicated neuro-intensive care unit (Neuro-ICU) provides specialised critical care for post-operative neurosurgical patients and acute neurological conditions including status epilepticus, severe strokes, and traumatic brain injuries. Ventilator support and ICP monitoring are available in the ICU.

Neurophysiology laboratories offer EEG including long-term video-EEG monitoring for epilepsy evaluation, and electrophysiology for nerve and muscle disorders. The stroke unit provides dedicated care for acute stroke with thrombolysis capabilities and close neurological monitoring.

National Neurosciences Centre receives referrals from international patients throughout the SAARC region, particularly from Bangladesh, Nepal, Bhutan, and Myanmar, where advanced neurosurgical services may not be available or accessible.

Neurological emergencies such as acute stroke and traumatic brain injury may require rapid access to specialised care, and Kolkata's proximity to these countries makes the centre a critical resource. Elective neurosurgical procedures including brain tumour surgery, epilepsy surgery, and spinal operations are performed at a fraction of costs in Western countries.

The hospital's international patient coordination team assists with appointment scheduling, medical record translation, visa documentation support (medical visa letters), and liaison with referring physicians in patients' home countries. Communication in English, Bengali, and Hindi is available.

Kolkata is served by Netaji Subhas Chandra Bose International Airport with direct connections from Dhaka, Kathmandu, and Colombo. Accommodation near the hospital includes hotels and guesthouses at various price points. Family accommodation is available for relatives accompanying patients during longer post-operative stays.

The centre's multidisciplinary team can provide detailed treatment plans and cost estimates in advance to help international patients plan their medical travel.

National Neurosciences Centre operates under the regulatory framework of the West Bengal Medical Council and the Directorate of Health Services, West Bengal. The centre's neurology and neurosurgery departments follow evidence-based protocols aligned with guidelines from the Neurological Society of India (NSI) and the Neurosurgical Society of India.

Stroke care protocols align with national stroke guidelines and the Indian Stroke Association's recommendations for acute stroke management, including thrombolysis protocols. The neurosurgery team adheres to international neurosurgical safety standards including site verification and intraoperative monitoring practices.

The neurophysiology laboratory follows IFCN (International Federation of Clinical Neurophysiology) standards for EEG and EMG interpretation. Radiation safety in neuroimaging is maintained under AERB (Atomic Energy Regulatory Board) oversight.

Surgeons and physicians maintain membership in specialist bodies including the Neurological Society of India, Neurosurgical Society of India, and the Indian Academy of Neurology. Regular continuing medical education and case conferences are conducted.

Formal NABH accreditation or JCI certification status is pending verification by MyMedicPlus. The centre follows Indian national healthcare and neuroscience standards.