Dr. Natesan Damodaran

Dr. Natesan Damodaran is a neurosurgeon based in Chennai who has dedicated his career to one of the most complex areas of brain care — epilepsy and functional neurosurgery. As Clinical Lead at Rela Hospital (Dr. Rela Institute & Medical Centre), he leads a program that brings together advanced presurgical evaluation, minimally invasive techniques, and long-term rehabilitation under one roof. For patients and families living with drug-resistant epilepsy, his work often represents a turning point.

His training path reflects both depth and breadth. Dr. Damodaran completed his MCh in Neurosurgery through Tamil Nadu Dr. M.G.R. Medical University and then pursued specialized post-doctoral fellowships — one in Epilepsy and Functional Neurosurgery at Amrita Institute of Medical Sciences in Kochi, and another in neurosurgical skills and simulation at AIIMS, New Delhi. He also holds an MSc in Psychology from the University of Madras, a background that genuinely shapes how he understands and communicates with patients dealing with neurological conditions.

What sets Dr. Damodaran apart is his commitment to precision. He uses tools like resting-state fMRI, DTI connectomics, and AI-assisted imaging to map each patient's brain before surgery — helping him protect critical functions like memory, speech, and movement while targeting the source of seizures as accurately as possible. He is currently building a Level-4 Comprehensive Epilepsy Program at Rela Hospital that covers both children and adults, from diagnosis all the way through rehabilitation.

International patients choose Dr. Damodaran because he combines technical skill with genuine accessibility. His research interests include cross-border collaboration and expanding epilepsy care across South and Southeast Asia, and he has been involved in outreach programs reaching patients in Malaysia, Sri Lanka, and Egypt. Whether you are coming from abroad for a second opinion or planning surgery, his team works closely with Gaf Healthcare to make the process as clear and supported as possible from the very first step.