Published on: September 2, 2025

CEREBO: INDIA’S INDIGENOUS BRAIN TOOL

CEREBO: INDIA’S INDIGENOUS BRAIN TOOL

NEWS

  • CEREBO is a hand-held, portable, non-invasive brain diagnostic device.
  • Developed by ICMR, MDMS, AIIMS Bhopal, NIMHANS Bengaluru, and Bioscan Research.
  • Detects Traumatic Brain Injuries (TBIs), including intracranial bleeding and brain swelling, in under a minute.
  • Safe for infants, pregnant women, and usable by paramedics or unskilled personnel.

HIGHLIGHTS

Importance of the Device

  • Useful where CT scans or MRI machines are unavailable, such as rural areas, ambulances, trauma centres, and disaster zones.
  • Provides colour-coded, radiation-free, cost-effective results.
  • Helps early detection of TBI, improving patient outcomes.
  • Clinically validated with regulatory approvals and multi-centre trials.
  • Recommended for triaging patients, speeding up emergency decisions, and reducing imaging costs.

Understanding Traumatic Brain Injuries (TBI)

  • TBI is caused by sudden trauma or injury to the head, affecting normal brain function.
  • Severity varies from mild (concussion) to severe, potentially causing long-term physical, cognitive, emotional, and behavioural impairments.
  • Road accidents (60%), falls (20–25%), and violence (10%) are leading causes in India.
  • Symptoms may be hidden, leading to undiagnosed injuries.

Why CEREBO is Useful in Rural Areas

  • Traditional TBI assessment methods like Glasgow Coma Scale are subjective and prone to errors.
  • CT/MRI scans require expensive equipment and trained staff, often lacking in rural regions.
  • CEREBO allows quick, reliable, on-site detection, facilitating early intervention and reduced long-term damage.

Long-Term Impact of TBI

  • Untreated TBIs can cause memory problems, emotional issues (anxiety, depression), physical disabilities, and higher risk of neurodegenerative diseases.
  • Early detection using tools like CEREBO can save lives and reduce socio-economic losses.