Neilank Jha

Neilank Jha (Hindi: नीलंक झा) is a Canadian neurosurgeon specializing in concussions.[1][2] Based in the city of Toronto, Neilank Jha established KonKussion, a hotline to address concussion injuries, which is staffed by neurosurgeons and neurologists to provide medical prognoses and treatment plans to physicians and nurses.[3][4] In addition, Jha has pioneered clinical management guidelines for concussions through working with others in his field, internationally.[5] Neilank Jha also established the first academic journal dedicated to the research of concussions.[6][7]

Early life and career

Neilank was born in Edmonton, Alberta and grew up in Regina, Saskatchewan where he had a passion for playing hockey.[6][7] At age twelve, he moved to India, where he lived in an ashram until he was seventeen.[6][7] Through his monastic experience in South Asia, Neilank Jha practiced asceticism, sleeping on the floor and owning only two sets of clothes.[6][7]

Upon his return to Canada, Neilank pursued his undergraduate studies at the University of Toronto, medical school and neurosurgical residency at McMaster University, and spinal surgery fellowship at the University of Toronto.[6]

At McMaster University, Neilank Jha was the chief resident in neurosurgery in 2010 when his mother, herself a nurse, suffered a concussion after falling down a flight of stairs.[6] Her CAT scan was normal and she was diagnosed with a concussion and discharged from the hospital a few hours later and advised to return to work in a few days.[6] She was unable to return to work as a nurse due to “persistent cognitive challenges and headaches”.[6] Months later with no explanation for her persistent symptoms, no objective diagnostic tool or proven treatment she remained off work.[6] This experience resulting in Neilank dedicating his life to concussion management and research, a departure from his extensive training in operating on the brain and spine.[6]

Neilank has become an advocate for patients with concussions and has urged professional sports leagues to invest in R&D and better protocols to protect current and future athletes while also committing resources for retired athletes."[8] Neilank has encouraged the responsible management of concussions in both athletes and non-athletes.[8]

Research

Neilank Chaired an International Concussion Conference in Toronto in September 2015 and published a white paper entitled ‘Solving the concussion crisis’, co-authored by others in the field.[9][10] The publication "finalize[s] an international consensus by which concussive traumatic brain injuries are understood".[11][10]

Neilank has conducted research evaluating the potential therapeutic benefit of cannabinoids in the management of traumatic brain injury.[12] Early human studies have demonstrated encouraging results and additional studies are pending.[12]

KonKussion

Neilank Jha established KonKussion, a hotline to address concussion injuries, which is staffed by neurosurgeons and neurologists to provide medical prognoses and treatment plans to physicians and nurses.[4] Neilank Jha personally attends to 200 concussion cases per week through KonKussion.[6]

References
  1. Proteau, Adam (7 December 2011). Fighting the Good Fight: Why On-Ice Violence Is Killing Hockey. John Wiley & Sons. p. 124. ISBN 9781118094891. One of Cusimano's colleagues and associates, Toronto-area neurosurgeon Dr. Neilank Jha, also cares deeply about the health of young hockey players and young athletes in general. He is arguing a different angle of the issue—namely, the need for a combined, nationwide effort to educate all Canadians on ...
  2. Sidney Crosby (9 May 2017). "Video: Neurosurgeon on what parents need to know about children's head injuries". CityNews. Retrieved 26 February 2018.
  3. "Toronto doctor refutes CFL's claim there's not enough evidence to link concussions to CTE". Global News. 24 November 2017. Retrieved 26 February 2018. Dr. Neilank Jha, Toronto-based physician running a clinic specializing in concussion treatment and research.
  4. "Concussion hotline launches staffed by volunteer specialists". Canadian Broadcasting Corporation. 9 September 2016. Retrieved 26 February 2018.
  5. "New concussion protocol for Windsor minor football league". CBC.ca. 22 August 2016. Retrieved 26 February 2018.
  6. Feschuk, Dave (14 September 2015). "Canadian concussion doctor on mission to make things right: Feschuk". Toronto Star. Retrieved 26 February 2018.
  7. Feschuk, Dave (14 September 2015). "Canadian concussion doctor on mission to make things right: Feschuk". OurWindsor.ca. Retrieved 26 February 2018.
  8. "CTV News/TSN exclusive: NHL execs resented concussion warnings from doctors, emails show". CTV News. 31 March 2016. Retrieved 26 February 2018.
  9. Feschuk, Dave (14 September 2015). "Leading concussion experts coming to Toronto area to brainstorm". Toronto Star. Retrieved 28 February 2018.
  10. "Solving the concussion crisis: Practical solutions". 2015. Retrieved 28 February 2018.
  11. "Solving the Concussion Crisis at the Konkussion Retreat: Consensus 2015 White Paper". University of Miami. 28 September 2015. Retrieved 28 February 2018.
  12. "Using cannabis to treat concussions - trials underway". Business News Network. Retrieved 26 February 2018.
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