Title: Growth of neural engineering and neuro-mechanics in India: physically challenged looking towards a bright future

Authors: Dinesh Bhatia

Addresses: EC-2610, Adaptive Neural Systems Laboratory, Department of Biomedical Engineering, Florida International University, 10555 West Flagler Street, Miami, Florida-33174, USA

Abstract: Neural engineering is an emerging field, information and research relating to it is comparatively limited. However, awareness regarding its potential scope is spreading globally nowadays. The reason for growing interest of the scientific community worldwide is due to high incidence of neurological and neuromuscular diseases affecting different age groups in recent years. As per WHO Mental Health Report, 2012, mental and neurological disorders are highly prevalent worldwide accounting for almost 11% and are priority health problems globally. A UN survey (2010) showed around 400 million people with disabilities and 414 million people aged > 60 years exist in Asia (World Health and Disability Statistics: Facts Country and State Population with Disabilities, 2011). With global and national health statistics predicting steady increase of health issues in elderly and disabled population, the need of the hour is for focusing on research-oriented technology in interdisciplinary fields like neuromechanics and trained healthcare personnel are required to serve this growing need.

Keywords: neural engineering; neuromechanics; disability; interdisciplinary; India; neuromuscular diseases; neurological diseases; elderly.

DOI: 10.1504/IJMEI.2013.055710

International Journal of Medical Engineering and Informatics, 2013 Vol.5 No.3, pp.201 - 208

Published online: 28 Jan 2014 *

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