Deep brain stimulation for neurological and neurodevelopmental disorders in children: Current applications and future...

Deep brain stimulation (DBS) has advanced the treatment of refractory neurological and neuropsychiatric conditions in adults, offering a reversible and adjustable therapy. While its application among children remains in its infancy, DBS holds potential for the treatment of conditions such as dystonia, epilepsy, and neurodevelopmental disorders including severe self-injurious behaviour. Paediatric DBS introduces unique opportunities for early intervention during critical periods of neuroplasticity, but also presents challenges related to developmental impacts, ethical considerations, and a limited evidence base. This review outlines the current state of DBS in children, highlighting key indications, clinical outcomes, and barriers to more widespread implementation. Advances in biomarkers and adaptive stimulation technologies are poised to refine patient selection and treatment paradigms, while multisite collaborations will be essential in building robust evidence and improving accessibility. As DBS evolves, it offers hope for improving the quality of life of children and their families facing a number of severe, treatment-resistant conditions.