Advances in Neuromodulation: Mechanisms, Technologies, and Clinical Applications

Neuromodulation has emerged as a transformative approach for treating a wide range of neurological and neuropsychiatric disorders. By delivering targeted electrical, magnetic, or chemical stimuli to specific neural circuits, neuromodulation techniques can reversibly alter neuronal activity and restore functional balance. Recent advances in technologies such as deep brain stimulation, spinal cord stimulation, and non-invasive brain stimulation have expanded therapeutic options for conditions including chronic pain, movement disorders, epilepsy, and depression. Meanwhile, growing insights into neuroimmune interactions and circuit-level mechanisms are refining our understanding of how neuromodulation exerts its effects. Despite these advances, challenges remain in optimizing stimulation parameters, improving patient-specific targeting, and elucidating long-term outcomes. This Research Topic aims to integrate basic, translational, and clinical perspectives to highlight recent progress and future directions in the rapidly evolving field of neuromodulation.

Neuromodulation has advanced quickly in recent years. However, important gaps still exist. Researchers do not fully understand its mechanisms of action. Clinicians also face challenges in optimizing treatment protocols. Translating new technologies into consistent clinical benefits remains difficult. One key problem is the weak integration between mechanistic insights and clinical practice. These insights include circuit dynamics and neuroimmune interactions. This gap limits the development of precise and patient-specific interventions. In addition, patients often respond differently to treatment. The field also lacks standardized stimulation parameters. These issues reduce the broader applicability of neuromodulation.

This Research Topic aims to address these challenges. It encourages interdisciplinary collaboration across neuroscience, engineering, and clinical medicine. We seek contributions that elucidate the cellular and network-level mechanisms underlying neuromodulation, identify biomarkers predictive of treatment response, and develop advanced technologies such as closed-loop systems and adaptive stimulation strategies. Furthermore, emphasis will be placed on translational studies and well-designed clinical trials to establish evidence-based protocols. By integrating these approaches, this topic aims to advance personalized neuromodulation and improve outcomes across neurological and neuropsychiatric disorders.

Scope and information for authors:

This Research Topic aims to provide a comprehensive overview of recent advances in neuromodulation across basic science, translational research, and clinical applications. We welcome submissions addressing, but not limited to, the following themes: mechanisms of neuromodulation at cellular and circuit levels; neuroimmune and neuroinflammatory interactions; development and optimization of stimulation technologies; biomarkers and imaging-guided targeting strategies; and applications in disorders such as chronic pain. Studies exploring novel paradigms, including closed-loop systems and brain–computer interfaces, are particularly encouraged. We invite a range of manuscript types, including original research articles, systematic reviews, mini-reviews, perspectives, and methodological papers. Interdisciplinary contributions bridging neuroscience, engineering, and clinical practice are especially welcome to foster innovation and translation in the field.

Article types and fees

This Research Topic accepts the following article types, unless otherwise specified in the Research Topic description:

• Brief Research Report
• Case Report
• Clinical Trial
• Data Report
• Editorial
• FAIR² Data
• General Commentary
• Hypothesis and Theory
• Methods
• ... View all formats

Articles that are accepted for publication by our external editors following rigorous peer review incur a publishing fee charged to Authors, institutions, or funders.

Article types

This Research Topic accepts the following article types, unless otherwise specified in the Research Topic description:

• Brief Research Report
• Case Report
• Clinical Trial
• Data Report
• Editorial
• FAIR² Data
• General Commentary
• Hypothesis and Theory
• Methods
• Mini Review
• Opinion
• Original Research
• Perspective
• Policy and Practice Reviews
• Policy Brief
• Review
• Study Protocol
• Systematic Review

Keywords: Neuromodulation, Neurostimulation, Chronic Pain, Brain-Computer Interface, spinal cord stimulation

Important note: All contributions to this Research Topic must be within the scope of the section and journal to which they are submitted, as defined in their mission statements. Frontiers reserves the right to guide an out-of-scope manuscript to a more suitable section or journal at any stage of peer review.