A study, conducted at the National Brain Research Centre in Manesar, Haryana, has found that ‘minocycline’ substantially reduces neuronal deaths in the infected mice, thus saving lives.

The study was recently published in the Journal of Neurochemistry, which is brought out by the International Society for Neurochemistry. Researchers Dr Anirban Basu and Manoj Kumar Mishra found that while repeated doses of JE vaccine was only 60 per cent effective, “the treatment with minocycline provides complete protection against experimental JE”. Also, minocycline is far cheaper and is suited for mass production, according to the researchers.

Talking to The Indian Express, Dr Basu said: “Our study has found that minocycline gives complete protection to mice infected with Japanese encephalitis. We have suggested that minocycline may be considered for clinical trials on humans.”

“As researchers, we have done our job and now the ball is in the court of the clinicians,” he added.

Encouraged by the results, the Baba Raghav Das (BRD) Medical College at Gorakhpur, which handles the maximum load of encephalitis patients, is drafting a proposal to be placed before the state government for clinical trials of the drug on humans.

In eastern UP, Japanese encephalitis or brain fever remains a dreaded disease despite widespread vaccination. Over 94 lakh children were vaccinated last year, but the disease still claimed 26 lives. Other forms of encephalitis killed 577 children in 2007.

“It is not the season for the spread of the disease, but we still have 11 children suffering with encephalitis. It is a major problem in this area, with the mortality rate anywhere between 27 and 60 per cent,” said Dr K P Khuswah, a senior professor in the paediatrics department of the Gorakhpur Medical College.

He said minocycline could be very beneficial, but it requires proper clinical trial.

“We recently attended a meeting with officials of the Department of Biotechnology in New Delhi and they are willing to collaborate in the study. At present, we are in the process of preparing a proposal to be submitted with the state government. Once the government gives its approval, it will be placed before the ethical committee of the college. We can start the trials after the committee’s recommendation.”

The Health department has, meanwhile, started preparations for its annual battle against Japanese encephalitis.