Clinical Neurostimulation in Child and Adolescent Psychiatry

• Applicant: Professor Dr. Julian Koenig
• Subject Area: Clinical Psychiatry, Psychotherapy, Child and Adolescent Psychiatry
• Term: since 2024
• Project identifier: Deutsche Forschungsgemeinschaft (DFG) - Project number 545308387

Psychiatric illnesses are among the most common causes of health impairment and disability worldwide. Most psychiatric illnesses emerge during adolescence. However, children and adolescents with psychiatric disorders often do not benefit adequately from existing first- and second-line treatments (psychotherapy and pharmacotherapy). Methods of clinical neurostimulation are established as third-line treatment option for adult patients with psychiatric disorders, with sufficient evidence concerning their efficacy and tolerability. In child and adolescent psychiatry, there is a lack of coordinated research programs to establish non- and minimally invasive procedures in German-speaking countries. The scientific network "Clinical Neurostimulation in Child and Adolescent Psychiatry" will develop strategic and sustainable research in this area. The network comprises 18 university clinics (including a partner each from Austria and Switzerland) for child and adolescent psychiatry and leading German experts in the field of neurostimulation (from basic research or related disciplines). Through coordinated activities in the area of primary resarch and meta-sciences as well as public relations addressing patients, relatives and clinical colleagues, the foundations for consensus-based follow-up projects will be systematically laid. The network is supported by the German Society for Child and Adolescent Psychiatry, Psychosomatic and Psychotherapy (DGKJP) and works in close coordination with the neurostimulation focus at the German Centers for Mental Health (DZPG). The implementation of a total of 12 work packages is planned over the funding period of three years.

• DFG Programme: Scientific Networks