The 27th Annual Conference of the Indian Society of Neuroanaesthesiology and Critical Care (ISNACC 2026) was held from 23rd to 26th January 2026 at All India Institute of Medical Sciences, Nagpur, Maharashtra, India. With the compelling theme “Brain, Bots and Beyond: Forging Neuroanaesthesia for Tomorrow,” the conference was designed to bridge foundational neurosciences with emerging technologies, artificial intelligence, advanced neuromonitoring, and multidisciplinary neurocritical care. The conference had a participation of around 350 participants and the scientific program included keynote address, panel discussions, hands-on workshops, and postgraduate symposiums. Over four days, the scientific program reflected both depth and diversity, offering meaningful content for clinicians, academicians, and trainees alike.
Skill Before Science– Pre-Conference Workshops:
The conference was preceded by seven parallel running pre-conference workshops on the first day. Interactive sessions and hands-on training on Point-of-Care Ultrasound (POCUS), Transcranial Doppler and Brain Ultrasound, Multimodal Neuromonitoring and Mechanical ventilation were well received. Two distinctive workshops- Cadaveric MIPSI (Minimally Invasive Pain and Spine Intervention) and NeuroStrike: A multidisciplinary workshop on Neuro-interventional Procedures were appreciated by the delegates.
The Brain Death Certification Course, endorsed by Indian Society of Organ Transplantation, addressed the medical, ethical, and legal frameworks surrounding organ donation, reinforcing the neurointensivist’s crucial role in donor optimization. These sessions set the tone for a conference that was intensely practical yet academically rigorous. The day ended with a Faculty dinner.
From Physiology to Prediction
The scientific sessions of the conference were flagged off by Dr Prasanna Udupi Bidkar, Scientific Chairperson and President-Elect, ISNACC. Evolving concepts in cerebral physiology, synaptic transmission, frailty of the aging brain, and depth of anaesthesia were discussed. Insights into subarachnoid hemorrhage hemodynamics, and delayed cerebral ischemia therapies were a part of the session “Engineering the Brain Pipeline”.
The SNACC panel brought international perspectives to blood pressure targets in neurocritical care, cerebral edema management, and neuroprotection strategies. Thought-provoking talks were delivered by Dr Tumul Chowdhury and Dr Michael Dinsmore. The intellectual engagement continued as the stroke symposium discussed ‘Stroke Quick Response Team in Indian setting’ and the early detection and prevention of expansion of intracranial hemorrhage.
The prestigious oration, “Ether to TIVA: A Journey of Learning, Vision, Leadership and Institutional Growth,” delivered by Dr Jayashree Simha, traced the evolution of anesthetic practice from ether to total intravenous anesthesia, inspiring reflection on how innovation must be anchored in mentorship and institutional culture. The conference was formally inaugurated by Dr Prashant P Joshi, Executive Director, AIIMS Nagpur and the ISNACC Secretariat. Dr Joseph Monteiro, Neuroanesthesiologist from Mumbai, India, was presented with the “Distinguished Professional Award”.
Photo 1: The conference photo-booth with the Mascot (Gyro-bhau) (left), the inauguration led by the chief guest, the organising team and the ISNACC secretariat (top-right), distinguished professional service award conferred upon Dr. Joseph Monteiro (bottom-right).
An immersive discussion on research in neuroanesthesia, highlighting key personal experiences, the prevailing challenges, and future directions in our field was a key highlight of the day, thanks to the panellists- eminent faculties of Neuroanesthesiology in India- Dr Girija P Rath, Dr Sriganesh Kamath, Dr Nidhi Panda and Dr Padmaja Durga. Parallel sessions explored Artificial intelligence integration with Neuroanesthesia. Talks on AI-driven prediction of postoperative cognitive dysfunction and applications in neurocritical care showcased the emerging interface between data science and brain health. The day ended with the Cultural Night, showcasing the rich and vibrant culture of the Orange City of India and a melodious music show by specially abled artists.
Photo 2: Highlights from the cultural event.
Individualized Care and Expanding Horizons
Day-2 focused on decision-making in Neuroanesthesia and Neurocritical Care. Sessions on pediatric neurocritical care, individualized TBI management, and pain assessment in neurologically compromised patients reinforced the importance of tailored therapy over protocol-driven rigidity. The PBLD segment was particularly engaging, addressing intraoperative motor-evoked potential dropouts, mid-craniotomy discomfort, and sitting-position challenges. These practical troubleshooting discussions resonated strongly with practicing clinicians. “How I Do It” offered crisp, solution-oriented talks on perioperative analgesia in spine surgery, patient blood management, and pediatric MRI sedation – emphasizing the significance of wisdom alongside evidence. The panel on perioperative brain health examined screening and prevention of neurocognitive disorders, reflecting a growing global shift toward cognitive outcome preservation. Special scenario discussions included awake spine anesthesia, aneurysm rupture crises in cath labs, and complex cases such as cerebellopontine angle tumors in pregnancy. Chronic pain interventions and neuroinfections rounded off the day, reflecting the wide clinical spectrum encompassed by modern neuroanesthesia. Academic engagement remained vibrant through consultant and resident paper presentations, reinforcing research culture within the specialty. “NeuroBoard nexus” the quiz competition executed by young minds of ISNACC brought the best out of Neuroanaesthesia trainees. The day concluded with a gala dinner featuring music, dance, and networking.
ICU Mindset, Brain Health, and Beyond
The final day opened with the prestigious Dr. V.K.Grover Award presentations, celebrating original research and academic excellence. Sessions under “The Neuro-ICU Mindset” covered practical EEG interpretation, epidural blood patch in intracranial hypotension, and organ donor optimization, reinforcing the neurointensivist’s expanding role beyond immediate resuscitation. A refreshing segment titled “Burnout to Balance” addressed physician well-being, lifestyle design, and harmonizing science with personal growth. Further sessions explored immunomodulation in Neuromuscular disorders, robotic ICU monitoring, neuroinflammatory cascades, and anesthesia in robotic spine surgery. The talks illustrated how technology, immunology, and robotics are reshaping perioperative neurosciences. The postgraduate symposium by the Neuroanesthesia trainees and Refresher course sessions revisited critical challenges: hyponatremia differentials, osmotherapy debates (Mannitol versus Hypertonic Saline), hypernatremia, ventriculitis, and venous air embolism.
Photo 3: Highlights from the conference. Dr Sriganesh K on the Neuroanesthesia research session (left), Dr. Jayashree Simha delivering the keynote address (right).
The conference concluded with convocation and valedictory ceremonies, marking not just the end of a meeting, but the culmination of four days of high-calibre academic exchange. The conference reaffirmed that the future of neuroanaesthesia lies not merely in technology, but in thoughtful application, collaborative learning, and relentless pursuit of better brain outcomes. We extend our best wishes to the organising team of ISNACC 2027 as they prepare for the next chapter. We are looking forward to another year of learning, innovation, research and building professional kinship.
