Institute for Communicative and Cognitive Neuro Sciences [ICCONS], established in 1998, is the first of its kind of Institutions in the field of Cognitive Neurosciences in Asian countries. The institute has a broad perspective of research and development in the field of cognition, communication, human robotics and navigation. The working philosophy and mandate of ICCONS includes,

• Unraveling the evolutionary, genetic and neurobiological mechanisms involved in basic cognitive functions (e.g. intelligence, perception, attention, memory, learning, language, motor planning, execution) as well as robotic functions through multidisciplinary research.

• Through research and development, ICCONS aims at developing novel management, rehabilitation and remediation strategies for developmental and acquired disorders affecting all age groups, from infancy to elderly. The major disorders that come under this category include autism, developmental language disorders, learning disability, mental retardation, cerebral palsy, global developmental delay, hearing impairment, single and multiple congenital anomalies, acquired locomotor disabilities, aphasia and other stroke-related problems, dementia of Alzheimer’s type, post-traumatic syndrome, and other neurodegenerative and neurometabolic disorders. The rehabilitation and management of these disorders are formulated and updated according to the protocols of WHO based on ICIDH-1 (International Classification of Impairments, Disabilities and Handicaps), ICIDH-2 and ICF (International Classification of Functioning, Disability and Health). ICCONS also aims at updating existing management, rehabilitation and remediation strategies in accordance with socio-cultural situations.

• Generation of sufficient manpower through regular academic programs and long- and short- term training programs for the service of individuals affected with cognitive and communicative disorders.

• Collaboration/interaction with national and international institutions, universities and NGOs working in similar areas to achieve the general objectives

Clinical, research and academic activities of the institution are achieved through a multidisciplinary team comprising of Neurologists, Neurosurgeons, Psychiatrists, Pediatricians, ENT specialists, Physiatrists, Speech Language Pathologists, Clinical Psychologists, Clinical Linguists, Physiotherapists and Special Educators. The institutes has well established Departments of Genetics (Molecular Genetics and Cytogenetics), Neurocradiology, Neurochemistry (evaluation of the neurochemical, endocrinological, neurometabolic and biochemical factors underlying cognitive processing and its defects). ICCONS has an Economic and Public Health division dealing with the epidemiological and public health aspects, and economic burden created by cognitive disorders and other non- communicable neurological disorders. Departments of Integrated Medical research and Center for Yoga and Meditation have been added recently.

ICCONS provide clinical services to all kinds of cognitive and communicative disorders across all age groups- childhood autism, developmental language disorders, specific learning disabilities, intellectual disability, global developmental delay, cerebral palsy, epilepsy, stroke- and traumatic brain injury- related neurological complications both in acute and chronic phase, dementia of Alzheimer’s type, other degenerative disorders such as Parkinson’s Disease, motor neuron diseases and multiple system atrophy, and any other non-communicable neurological disorders of developmental and acquired nature.

ICCONS is established under the Society for Rehabilitation of Cognitive and communicative Disorders (SRCCD), an autonomous body registered under the Travancore-Cochin Literary, Scientific and Charitable Societies Act 1955. The Minister for Health and family welfare is the Chairman of the society and Minister for Social welfare is the co-chairman. The Secretary to Government Health and Family department is the Vice chairman and the Director of Sree Chithira Thirunal Institute of Medical Science and Technology is the Vice Chairman of the Society.

ICCONS is the first Neurocenter in India to obtain National Accreditation Board for Hospitals & Healthcare Providers (NABH) accreditation.

The human brain is the most complex structure known in the universe. It weighs ~1,500 grams consisting of an amalgamation of 100 billion cells, each of which is capable of making up to 1,000 connections forming a complex network. This makes the human beings unique with respect to their ability for communication through language, bipedal locomotion, complex cognitive processing (thinking, analyzing and responding to complex problems through parallel and serial computing programs), inventing novel ideas through self-exploratory programs, and developing corrections/remedies for biological systems. Yet, not even 1/3rd of the cerebral functions are known to mankind. ICCONS is a humble initiative with an ambitious program to unravel the unseen frontiers of brain functions. We solicit the collaboration of like-minded individuals, institutions and organizations in our multidisciplinary research programs.