Curriculum Vitae

ASSOCIATE PROF. DR. KAMAL AZRIN BIN ABDULLAH @ KALAI ARASU A/L MUTHUSAMY

Associate Professor
  • Department of Surgery
    Faculty of Medicine

BIOGRAPHY

I, Dr Kalai Arasu Muthusamy am a Senior Lecturer and Consultant Neurosurgeon at the University Malaya Medical Centre, Kuala Lumpur. I earned my medical degree (MBBS) at The University Of Malaya in 1995. I completed my 4 years of General Surgical Training and started my Neurosurgical training at University Malaya Medical Centre in 2002. I underwent subspecialty training in Functional Neurosurgery and Movement Disorders under Professor Tipu Aziz (a world authority in the field of Functional Neurosurgery and Deep Brain Stimulation) at Functional Neurosurgery group, Oxford University. Under the guidance of Professor Tipu Aziz and Professor John Stein (a senior Neuroscientist at Oxford University and a world authority on Dyslexia), I received my DPhil (Oxon) from the University of Oxford and completed my training in Functional Neurosurgery in 2009. My research focused mainly on the advanced Parkinson s symptoms such as akinesia and the role of Pedunculopontine Nucleus in movement disorder. I also worked out the connectivity of the peduncolopontine connectivity in humans and non-human primates and their role in movement disorder. I have numerous publications in international medical journals mainly on the role of PPN in movement disorder as stated in my CV.

AREAS OF EXPERTISE

  • NEUROMODULATION; DEEP BRAIN STIMULATION
    Neuro modulation, Deep Brain stimulation, Parkinson's Disease
  • INTENSIVE CARE
    Neuro intensive care
  • NEUROMODULATION (DEEP BRAIN SURGERY)
    Neuromodulation (Deep Brain Stimulation)
  • NEUROSURGERY
    Functional Neurosurgery
  • MAGNETIC RESONANCE IMAGING(MRI)
    DTI and Tractography
  • CENTRAL NERVOUS SYSTEM
    Primate Research in Movement Disorder

ACADEMIC QUALIFICATION

  • D.PHIL (OXON), (Medicine)
    Oxford University, Oxford, UK
  • MSURGERY(UM), (Surgery)
    Universiti Malaya (UM)
  • MBBS(UM), (Medicine and Surgery)
    Universiti Malaya (UM)

ADMINISTRATIVE DUTIES

  • Pemantau Medical Report
    16 Dec 2009 - present (Department of Surgery, Faculty of Medicine)
  • CFCS with the primary care department
    01 Dec 2009 - present (Department of Surgery, Faculty of Medicine)
  • Final MBBS surgical cordinator 2010
    22 Nov 2009 - present (Department of Surgery, Faculty of Medicine)
  • E-precipitation in Surgical Outpatient clinic ,University Malaya Medical Centre 2005.
    01 Jan 2005 - present (Department of Surgery, Faculty of Medicine)
  • Head of Unit
    01 Jan 2021 - 31 Dec 2021 (Department of Surgery, Faculty of Medicine)
  • Head of Unit
    01 Dec 2018 - 17 Jan 2021 (Department of Surgery, Faculty of Medicine)

MEMBERSHIPS

  • MEMBER OF MALAYSIAN MEDICAL ASSOCIATION, LIFE MEMBER
    Since 2019 (National)
  • OXFORD ALUMI, WOLFSON, MEMBER
    Since 2009 (International)
  • MALAYSIAN SOCIETY OF NEUROSCIENCES., LIFE MEMBER
    Since 2004 (National)
  • NEUROSURGICAL ASSOCIATION OF MALAYSIA , MEMBER
    Since 2003 (National)

AWARD AND STEWARDSHIP

  • First place in the Asia Pacific region ATLS resident paper competation
    Soviet of Trauma & Acute Care, 2021 (International)
  • CERTIFICATE OF EXCELLENT SERVICE
    University of Malaya, 2019 (University)
  • CERTIFICATE OF EXCELLENT SERVICE
    University of Malaya, 2005 (University)
  • Excellence in Service award
    University of Malaya, 2005 (University)
  • Gold Medal in The International Exhibition of Inventions, New Techniques and Products in Geneva, Switzerland
    The International Exhibition of Inventions, New Techniques and Products in Geneva, 2005 (International)
  • Best Free Paper Award, The 11th ASEAN Congress of Neurological Surgeons and 6th ASEAN Neurosurgical Nursing Congress and Joint Educational Neurosurgical Meeting of ACNS, AASNS and WFNS
    ASEAN Congress of Neurological Surgeons, 2004 (International)
  • Bronze medal.The Experimental and Innovation Expo 2004
    University of Malaya, 2004 (University)

PUBLICATIONS

Article in Journal
WoS
  1. Goo, Zhen Qiang; Muthusamy, Kalai Arasu (2022). Early versus standard tracheostomy in ventilated patients in neurosurgical intensive care unit: A randomized controlled trial, JOURNAL OF CLINICAL NEUROSCIENCE. 98, 162-167. doi:10.1016/j.jocn.2022.02.011
  2. Lim, Jia Lun; Lohmann, Katja; Tan, Ai Huey; Tay, Yi Wen; Ibrahim, Khairul Azmi; Aziz, Zariah Abdul; Mawardi, Ahmad Shahir; Puvanarajah, Santhi Datuk; Lim, Thien Thien; Looi, Irene; Ooi, Joshua Chin Ern; Chia, Yuen Kang; Muthusamy, Kalai Arasu; Bauer, Peter; Rolfs, Arndt; Klein, Christine; Ahmad-Annuar, Azlina; Lim, Shen-Yang (2022). Glucocerebrosidase (GBA) gene variants in a multi-ethnic Asian cohort with Parkinson's disease: mutational spectrum and clinical features, JOURNAL OF NEURAL TRANSMISSION. . doi:10.1007/s00702-021-02421-0
  3. Lim, S. Y., Lim, J. L., Ahmad-Annuar, A., Lohmann, K., Tan, A. H., Lim, K. B., . . . Klein, C. (2020). Clinical Phenotype ofLRRK2R1441C in 2 Chinese Sisters. Neurodegenerative Diseases, 20(1), 39-45. doi: 10.1159/000508131
  4. Mehbodniya, Amirhossein; Moghavvemi, Mahmoud; Narayanan, Vairavan; Muthusamy, Kalai A.; Hamdi, Mohammad; Waran, Vicknes (2020). Identifying the Sources of Error When Using 3-Dimensional Printed Head Models with Surgical Navigation, WORLD NEUROSURGERY. 134, E379-E386. doi:10.1016/j.wneu.2019.10.080
Scopus
  1. Dy Closas A.M.F., Lohmann K., Tan A.H., Ibrahim N.M., Lim J.L., Tay Y.W., Muthusamy K.A., Ahmad-Annuar A.B., Klein C., Lim S.-Y. (2023). A KMT2B Frameshift Variant Causing Focal Dystonia Restricted to the Oromandibular Region After Long-Term Follow-up, Journal of Movement Disorders. 16(1), 91-94. doi:10.14802/jmd.22109
  2. Tay Y.W., Tan A.H., Lim J.L., Lohmann K., Ibrahim K.A., Abdul Aziz Z., Chin Y.T., Mawardi A.S., Lim T.T., Looi I., Chia Y.K., Ooi J.C.E., Cheah W.K., Dy Closas A.M.F., Lit L.C., Hor J.W., Toh T.S., Muthusamy K.A., Bauer P., Skrahin V., Rolfs A., Klein C., Ahmad-Annuar A., Lim S.-Y. (2023). Genetic study of early-onset Parkinson's disease in the Malaysian population, Parkinsonism and Related Disorders. 111. doi:10.1016/j.parkreldis.2023.105399
  3. Goo Z.Q., Muthusamy K.A. (2022). Early versus standard tracheostomy in ventilated patients in neurosurgical intensive care unit: A randomized controlled trial, Journal of Clinical Neuroscience. 98, 162-167. doi:10.1016/j.jocn.2022.02.011
  4. Lim J.L., Lohmann K., Tan A.H., Tay Y.W., Ibrahim K.A., Abdul Aziz Z., Mawardi A.S., Puvanarajah S.D., Lim T.T., Looi I., Ooi J.C.E., Chia Y.K., Muthusamy K.A., Bauer P., Rolfs A., Klein C., Ahmad-Annuar A., Lim S.-Y. (2022). Glucocerebrosidase (GBA) gene variants in a multi-ethnic Asian cohort with Parkinson s disease: mutational spectrum and clinical features, Journal of Neural Transmission. 129(1), 37-48. doi:10.1007/s00702-021-02421-0
  5. Mehbodniya A., Moghavvemi M., Narayanan V., Muthusamy K.A., Hamdi M., Waran V. (2020). Identifying the Sources of Error When Using 3-Dimensional Printed Head Models with Surgical Navigation, World Neurosurgery. 134, e379-e386. doi:10.1016/j.wneu.2019.10.080
Others
  1. A KMT2B frameshift variant causing focal dystonia restricted to the oromandibular region after long-term follow-up
  2. Goo, Zhen Qiang, Muthusamy, Kalai Arasu (2022). Early Versus Standard Tracheostomy in Ventilated Patients in Neurosurgical Intensive Care Unit: A Randomized Controlled Trial.
  3. Andrew Charles Gomez Junior, Chong Aun Wee, Mohd Adzreil Bin Bakri, Kamal Azrin Abdullah @ Kalai Arasu Muthusamy, Lim Shen-Yang,. The effects of subthalamic nucleus deep brain stimulation on sleep quality and polysomnographic parameters in patients with Parkinson s disease.Med J Malaysia Vol 76 Supplement 1 June 2021, OP 20, Pg 21.
  4. Lim, J.L., Lohmann, K., Tan, A.H. et al. Glucocerebrosidase (GBA) gene variants in a multi-ethnic Asian cohort with Parkinson s disease: mutational spectrum and clinical features. J Neural Transm (2021). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00702-021-02421-0
  5. Lim, S. Y., Lim, J. L., Ahmad-Annuar, A., Lohmann, K., Tan, A. H., Lim, K. B., ... & Rolfs, A. (2020). Clinical Phenotype of LRRK2 R1441C in 2 Chinese Sisters. Neurodegenerative Diseases, 1-7.
  6. A Review of the Pedunculopontine Nucleus in Parkinson's Disease. French IT, Muthusamy KA. Front Aging Neurosci. 2018 Apr 26;10:99. doi: 10.3389/fnagi.2018.00099. eCollection 2018. Review.
  7. A Review of Sleep and Its Disorders in Patients with Parkinson's Disease in Relation to Various Brain Structures. French IT, Muthusamy KA. Front Aging Neurosci. 2016 May 23;8:114. doi: 10.3389/fnagi.2016.00114. eCollection 2016. Review.
  8. Isobel T. French and Kalai A. Muthusamy. A REVIEW OF SLEEP AND ITS DISORDERS IN PATIENTS WITH PARKINSON'S DISEASE IN RELATION TO VARIOUS BRAIN STRUCTURES. Front. Aging Neurosci. | doi: 10.3389/fnagi.2016.00114
  9. Simul Healthc. 2015 Feb;10(1):43-8. doi: 10.1097/SIH.0000000000000060. Neurosurgical endoscopic training via a realistic 3-dimensional model with pathology. Waran V1, Narayanan V, Karuppiah R, Thambynayagam HC, Muthusamy KA, Rahman ZA, Kirollos RW.
  10. Waran, V., Narayanan, V., Karuppiah, R., Thambynayagam, H. C., Muthusamy, K. A., Rahman, Z. A. A., Kirollos, R. W. 2015. Neurosurgical Endoscopic Training via a Realistic 3-Dimensional Model With Pathology Simulation in Healthcare-Journal of the Society for Simulation in Healthcare
  11. Norlisah Ramli , Farhana Fadzli , Kalai Arasu Muthusamy , Chan Kam Hong. Multiloculated hydrocephalus in an adult: Role of MRI FIESTA sequence in diagnosis and management.Neurology Asia 2014; 19(4) : 425- 427
  12. Parameswari Shunmugama, VijayakumarVengadasalamb, Muthusamy KA. 2013 Theory on improving reading for readers with abnormal eye saccades through colored filters. Procedia - Social and Behavioral Sciences 97 ( 2013 ) 392 396
  13. Muthusamy KA, Lian LH, Vairavan N, Chua KH, Waran V. 2012. Genetic polymorphisms of EGF 5'-UTR and NAT2 857G/A associated with glioma in a case control study of Malaysian patients.Genet Mol Res. 2012 Jun 15;11.
  14. Ned Jenkinson, Dipanker Nandi, Kalai Muthusamy, Nicola J Ray, Ralph Gregory, John F Stein, Tipu Z Aziz. 2009. Anatomy, physiology, and pathophysiology of the pedunculopontine nucleus. Mov Disord. Vol 24, No 3, Pg 319-328
  15. E A Pereira, K A Muthusamy, N De Pennington, C A Joint, T Z Aziz. 2008. Deep brain stimulation of the pedunculopontine nucleus in Parkinson's disease. Preliminary experience at Oxford. Br J Neurosurg. 22 Suppl 1 :S41-4
  16. Muthusamy KA, Azmi K, Narayanan P, Rajagopalan R, Raman NA & Waran V.2008.Bilateral Temporal Bone Xanthoma-case report. Journal of Clinical Neuroscience 108(2):361-4
  17. B R Aravamuthan, K A Muthusamy, J F Stein, T Z Aziz, H Johansen-Berg. 2007. Topography of cortical and subcortical connections of the human pedunculopontine and subthalamic nuclei. Neuroimage.
  18. Kalai A Muthusamy, Bhooma R Aravamuthan, Morten L Kringelbach, Ned Jenkinson, Natalie L Voets, Heidi Johansen-Berg, John F Stein, Tipu Z Aziz. 2007.Connectivity of the human pedunculopontine nucleus region and diffusion tensor imaging in surgical targeting. J Neurosurg. 107 (4):814-20
  19. Kalai Arasu Muthusamy, Vicknes Waran, Savithri D Puthucheary. 2007. Spectra of central nervous system melioidosis. J Clin Neurosci.
  20. K Arasu, A Khairul, V Waran.2005. Neurocysticercosis an uncommon intra-cerebral infection in Malaysia. Med J Malaysia 60(4):514-6
  21. Kalai Arasu M, Dharmendra G, Ramli MN , Puthucheary SD, Waran V. 2003.Central Nervous System Meliodosis: Three cases from University Malaya Medical Center.The Philippine Journal of Neurology 7 (2): 81.
Article in Proceeding
  1. BR Aravamuthan, Kalai A Muthusamy, H. Johansen-Berg, N.Votes, X Liu,J Stein, T Aziz Human pedunculopontine nucleus connections traced using probabilistic diffusion tractography. 36th annual meeting, Neuroscience 2006. Oct. 14-18 in Atlanta.
  2. Kalai Arasu M, Nanra J, Waran V . Use of Frame base Stereotaxy (STX) with StereoPlan assistance in the biopsy of deep seated lesions at the University Malaya Medical Centre (UMMC): Review of Cases and Complications. Annual General Meeting & Annual Scientific Meeting of the College of Surgeons, Academy of Medicine of Malaysia 2005, Penang, Malaysia ; June 2005.
  3. Kalai Arasu M, Waran V . Use of Frame base Stereotaxy (STX) with StereoPlan assistance in the biopsy of deep seated lesions at the University Malaya Medical Centre (UMMC): Review of Cases and Complications. 11th ASEAN Congress of Neurological Surgeons and 6th ASEAN Neurosurgical Nursing Congress and Joint Educational Neurosurgical Meeting of ACNS , AASNS and WFNS , Bali ; Dec. 2004
  4. Kalai Arasu M, Sukumar, Abdullah BJJ, Waran V CT-Guided Hook-Wire Localisation for Single Level Laminectony. 12th ASEAN Association of Radiology Congress, Penang, Malaysia; Sept. 2004
  5. Kalai Arasu M, Sukumar, BJJ Abdullah, Waran V. Pre-operative Hook-wire Localisation of Thoracic Spinal Level for Intraspinal Pathology requiring a single level Laminectomy ; 10th ASEAN Congress of Neurological Surgery, Singapore; Dec.2002
  6. Kalai Arasu M, Sukumar,Waran V Review of Indication and Outcome of Decompresive Craniectomy in Severely Head Injured patients in our centre: ASEAN Young Neurosurgeon Award; 10th ASEAN Congress of Neurological Surgery, Singapore; Dec.2002
Other Publications
  1. 2012 Consensus Guidelines for the Treatment of Parkinson s Disease. - Review

RESEARCH INTEREST

  • Parkinson's Disaese and other movement disorders (Parkinson disease)
  • Deep Brain Stimulation (DBS)
  • Neuro Intensive care (Neuro ICU)
  • Dyslexia Reserch & reading difficulty (Dyslexia)

RESEARCH PROJECT

National
  1. 2013 - 2016, Postgraduate Research Grant (PPP) - Research
    Early Screening for Dyslexia Using Electroencephalogram (EEG) Analysis ( Principal Investigator(PI))
  2. 2013 - 2015, Program Rakan Penyelidikan UM
    EXTRACTION OF NEURAL MARKERS FOR LEARNING DISORDER USING SIGNAL ANALYSIS ( Principal Investigator(PI))
  3. 2013 - 2016, Postgraduate Research Grant(PPP)
    Early Screening for Dyslexia Using Electroencephalogram (EEG) Analysis ( Principal Investigator(PI))
  4. 2012 - 2015, High Impact Research (HIR)
    Neurosurgery Movement Disorder & Operative Device Development Research ( Consultant)
  5. 2013 - 2015, CG
    EXTRACTION OF NEURAL MARKERS FOR LEARNING DISORDER USING SIGNAL ANALYSIS ( Principal Investigator(PI))
  6. 2008 - 2010, Geran Penyelidikan Universiti Malaya (UMRG)
    P53 and EGFR genetic polymorphism in promary brain glioma ( Technical Advisor)
International
  1. 2006 - 2009, UK MRC & The Charles Wolfson Charitable Trust.
    The Pedunculopontine Nucleus and its Connections in the Primate Central Nervous System: A Diffusion Tensor Imaging and Neural-Tracer Anatomical Study ( -Researcher)
  2. 2005 - 2007, Wellcome Trust, UK
    Topography of cortical and subcortical connections of the human pedunculopontine and subthalamic nuclei ( -Researcher)
  3. 2005 - 2006, The Norman Collisson & Templeton fund, UK
    Connectivity of the human pedunculopontine nucleus region and diffusion tensor imaging in surgical targeting ( Researcher)

CONSULTANCY PROJECT

  • Medtronic Apac Cranial Ipg Testing, Medtronic, Consultant
    23 May 2017 - 31 Dec 2021 (International)
  • Proctorship Service for Deep Brain Stimulation Surgery in Malaysia and Southeast Asia, Medtronic Malaysia, Professional Consultant (Ir., Ar., Sr., Ts., dsbnya)
    01 Jan 2018 - 31 Dec 2021 (International)

PAPER PRESENTED

INVITED SPEAKER
  1. PITFALLS AND AVOIDANCE IN DBS, DBS - IDIOPATHIC PARKINSON DISEASE WORKSHOP., JABATAN NEUROSCIENCE,SCHOOL OF MEDICAL SCIENCE, HUSM, KUBANG KERIAN,KELANTAN (National) (29 Mar 2022 - 31 Mar 2022)
ORAL PRESENTER
  1. Human pedunculopontine nucleus connections traced using probabilistic diffusion tractography, 36th annual meeting, Neuroscience 2006 (14 Oct 2006 - 18 Oct 2006)
POSTER PRESENTER
  1. The Role of The Pedunculopontine Nucleus In Movement Disorder, DPAG departmental poster presentation. (University) (25 Sep 2006 - 26 Sep 2009)
  2. Central Nervous System Meliodosis: Three cases from University Malaya Medical Center, 5th Biennial ASNA convention & 25th PNA Annual Convention (International) (13 Dec 2003)
PRESENTER
  1. The Pedunculopontine nucleus (PPN) and its projection system in the primate central nervous system: a tractographic and neural-tracer anatomical study, Linacre Talk, Oxford. (14 Jul 2008 - 15 Jul 2008)

ACADEMIC/PROF. SERVICES

Evaluation
  1. (2022) Mini-Review: Calcium and Parkinson S Disease, International, (Reviewer)
  2. (2021) Pmengerusi Jawatankuasa Pengisian Spesifikasi Icp Catheter, University, (Internal Evaluator)
  3. (2021) Peperiksaan Ikhtisas 1&2 (Neurosurgery) Krusus Sarjanh Perunatan Ppsp Sesi Oct/Nov 2021, National, (External Examiner)
  4. (2021) Peperiksaan Klinikal Bagi Sarjanah Neurosurgery November 2021, University, (Internal Examiner)
  5. (2021) Alteration of White Matter Abnormaliies in Parkinson's Dosease: a Machine Learningapproch, International, (Reviewer)
  6. (2021) Corticla Thickness Changes in Mild Cognitive Impairment in Parkinson's Disease, International, (Reviewer)
  7. (2020) Correlation of Neuromelanin Contrast and Free Water in The Substantia Nigra in Parkinson's Disease, International, (Reviewer)
  8. (2005) The Pedunculopontine Nucleus and its Connections in the Primate Central Nervous System: A Diffusion Tensor Imaging and Neural-Tracer Anatomical Study, (Researcher)
  9. (1999) Persistent Prolonged Jaundice in Infancy: A Diagnostic Dilemma and the Need for Laparotomy , (Researcher)
Contribution to external organisation
  1. (2005) Scientific Research Program, Oxford Movement Disorder Group, International
Mentoring
  1. (2021) Proctorship Service for Medtronic in Deep Brain Stimulation Surgery in Malasia and Southeast Asia, International, (Mentor)

SUPERVISION

Postgraduate Student
PhD/ Doctoral
  1. (2018) Identification of Saccadic Suppression in Neural Pathways during Reading in Dyslexics using Neuroimaging Methods, PARAMESWARI A/P SHUNMUGAM
  2. (2018) Identification of Saccadic Suppression in Neural Pathways during Reading in Dyslexics using Neuroimaging Methods, PARAMESWARI A/P SHUNMUGAM
Master
  1. (2017) DIFFUSION TENSOR IMAGING AND TRACTOGRAPHY OF THE PEDUNCULOPONTINE NUCLEUS AMONG PARKINSON PATIENTS AND HEALTHY CONTROLS, ISOBEL TIMOTHEA FRENCH
  2. (2017) DIFFUSION TENSOR IMAGING AND TRACTOGRAPHY OF THE PEDUNCULOPONTINE NUCLEUS AMONG PARKINSON PATIENTS AND HEALTHY CONTROLS, ISOBEL TIMOTHEA FRENCH
  3. (2017) -, MUHAMMAD FAIRUZ SHAH BIN ABD KARIM
Under Graduate Students
  1. (2008) Pain /Suppervisior for SSC, Dundee University, Medical student
  2. (2004) Review of Cranioplasty and complication rate in UMMC from 2001-2004
  3. (2004) Magnetic Resonance Diffuse Tensor Imaging in Gamma Knife Surgery
  4. (2004) Attempted Suicide: A case Report

TEACHING

Master
  1. (2009) UM Neurosurgical Registrar Teaching
  2. (2009) UM-UKM Neurosurgical Registrar Teaching
Bachelor
  1. (2010) General Surgical Teaching in Banting Hosp. Phase 3a
  2. (2009) Neurosurgical Teaching Phase 3b in Klang
  3. (2009) Surgical and Neurosurgical Bedside Teaching

COURSE ATTENDED

External Course
NATIONAL
  1. DBS - IDIOPATHIC PARKINSON DISEASE DISEASE WORKSHOP (HYBRID), Husm, Kubang Kerian, Kelantan (29 Mar 2022 - 31 Mar 2022)
INTERNATIONAL
  1. Eastern Deep Brain Stimulation Think Tank 2023, Sentosa Island, Singapore (03 Nov 2023 - 05 Nov 2023)