Bhubaneswar : In a significant and concerning revelation, scientists have identified BMAA, a potential neurotoxin, in several species of the ancient Cycad plant found in the forests of Odisha. This discovery has raised alarms as certain segments of the local population continue ancestral traditions of consuming cycad plant products, such as pitha, as part of their diet and rituals.

Whether these consumption practices are directly linked to an increased incidence of neurological diseases remains a critical question driving new, pioneering research initiated at AIIMS Bhubaneswar.

To address this burning query, a distinguished group of national and international scientists and medical experts recently convened in an international workshop titled “Cycad-Related Neurological Disorders: A Mul

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