A statewide academy shaped by neuroscience practice spreading beyond a few city centers.

In the early 1980s neurosciences practice was still in its infancy in Karnataka, with a small number of specialists largely concentrated in Bengaluru and, to some extent, Mangaluru.

To encourage regular professional interaction, an informal Neuro Club was formed in 1983. As the community grew, that network evolved into the Bangalore Neurological Society in 1994.

For several years there were suggestions to create a state-level body, but the number of neurosciences specialists outside two or three cities was still limited. As practice spread across district centers, the need for a statewide forum became clearer.

During the Neurosciences Update held in Hubballi-Dharwad in March 2010, neurologists and neurosurgeons from different parts of Karnataka discussed the need for a common professional platform. That meeting led to the formation of Karnataka Neurosciences Academy.

An ad hoc team was immediately constituted with Dr. H V Srinivas as President, Dr. P Satishchandra as Vice-President, Dr. Suresh Duggani as Honorary Secretary, and Dr. Datta Nadgir as Treasurer, along with Dr. B A Chandramouli, Dr. Vani Santosh, Dr. Prashant Katakol, and Dr. Narayana Panji on the Executive Committee.

Dr. H V Srinivas took the lead in drafting the Memorandum of Association, and Dr. Suresh Duggani registered KNA as a society in October 2010 at Hubballi. Since then, the academy has continued to support scientific exchange, CME activity, annual conferences, and the spread of neurosciences expertise across Karnataka.

The academy continues to support professional interaction, scientific meetings, annual conferences, and academic activity across Karnataka.

During the annual conferences, KNA has continued to encourage scientific paper presentation through best paper and poster awards, along with the presidential oration.