Radiotherapy in selected non-oncological neurological disorders – efficacy and safety

Introduction: Radiotherapy, once limited to oncology, is now emerging as a therapeutic option for non-neoplastic neurological disorders. Advances in stereotactic techniques such as Gamma Knife and CyberKnife allow for precise functional targeting, opening possibilities in diseases like Alzheimer’s...

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Main Authors: Klaudia Kulig, Maksymilian Wiśniowski, Aneta Redner, Michal Popiel, Kamil Dziekoński, Patrycja Zwierzchlewska, Kacper Buczek, Kamila Smala, Dominik Stanibuła, Ada Wiśniowska
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: Nicolaus Copernicus University in Toruń 2025-05-01
Series:Quality in Sport
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Online Access:https://apcz.umk.pl/QS/article/view/59893
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author Klaudia Kulig
Maksymilian Wiśniowski
Aneta Redner
Michal Popiel
Kamil Dziekoński
Patrycja Zwierzchlewska
Kacper Buczek
Kamila Smala
Dominik Stanibuła
Ada Wiśniowska
author_facet Klaudia Kulig
Maksymilian Wiśniowski
Aneta Redner
Michal Popiel
Kamil Dziekoński
Patrycja Zwierzchlewska
Kacper Buczek
Kamila Smala
Dominik Stanibuła
Ada Wiśniowska
author_sort Klaudia Kulig
collection DOAJ
description Introduction: Radiotherapy, once limited to oncology, is now emerging as a therapeutic option for non-neoplastic neurological disorders. Advances in stereotactic techniques such as Gamma Knife and CyberKnife allow for precise functional targeting, opening possibilities in diseases like Alzheimer’s disease (AD), drug-resistant epilepsy, and trigeminal neuralgia (TN). Materials and Methods: A comprehensive literature review was conducted using PubMed, Scopus, and ClinicalTrials.gov. Search terms included radiotherapy, stereotactic radiosurgery, Alzheimer’s disease, epilepsy, and trigeminal neuralgia. Studies published between 2015–2025 were reviewed. Results: In AD, low-dose radiation therapy (LDRT) has shown potential to stabilize or improve cognition, with minimal side effects in early clinical trials. In epilepsy, stereotactic radiosurgery (SRS) and fractionated stereotactic radiotherapy (FSRT) have provided seizure reduction or remission in selected cases, particularly where surgery is not viable. For TN, SRS achieves pain relief in 85–90% of patients, with long-term remission and generally mild adverse effects such as facial numbness. Conclusions: Radiotherapy offers a promising, non-invasive approach for selected neurological conditions. Although current data are encouraging, larger randomized trials are essential to establish long-term safety, optimize dosing strategies, and validate efficacy across patient populations.
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spelling doaj-art-de242c65aea1475998d5abd3ec5b6a9f2025-08-20T01:49:32ZengNicolaus Copernicus University in ToruńQuality in Sport2450-31182025-05-014110.12775/QS.2025.41.59893Radiotherapy in selected non-oncological neurological disorders – efficacy and safetyKlaudia Kulig0https://orcid.org/0009-0003-1569-4180Maksymilian Wiśniowski1https://orcid.org/0009-0004-2470-3074Aneta Redner2https://orcid.org/0009-0006-1404-4305Michal Popiel3https://orcid.org/0009-0002-9726-6296Kamil Dziekoński4https://orcid.org/0009-0001-9958-1348Patrycja Zwierzchlewska5https://orcid.org/0009-0005-8073-1042Kacper Buczek6https://orcid.org/0009-0005-0521-3536Kamila Smala7https://orcid.org/0000-0001-8536-1101Dominik Stanibuła8https://orcid.org/0009-0005-9409-6430Ada Wiśniowska9https://orcid.org/0009-0000-8703-8527Medical University of LublinMedical University of LublinPure Clinic Krańcowa 77, 20-356 Lublin, PolandThe Little Prince Hospice of Lublin Lędzian 49, 20-828 Lublin, Poland Corten Dental, Makolągwy 21, 02-811 Warsaw, PolandMedical University of LublinMedical University of LublinMedical University of LublinMedical University of LublinWarsaw Medical University Introduction: Radiotherapy, once limited to oncology, is now emerging as a therapeutic option for non-neoplastic neurological disorders. Advances in stereotactic techniques such as Gamma Knife and CyberKnife allow for precise functional targeting, opening possibilities in diseases like Alzheimer’s disease (AD), drug-resistant epilepsy, and trigeminal neuralgia (TN). Materials and Methods: A comprehensive literature review was conducted using PubMed, Scopus, and ClinicalTrials.gov. Search terms included radiotherapy, stereotactic radiosurgery, Alzheimer’s disease, epilepsy, and trigeminal neuralgia. Studies published between 2015–2025 were reviewed. Results: In AD, low-dose radiation therapy (LDRT) has shown potential to stabilize or improve cognition, with minimal side effects in early clinical trials. In epilepsy, stereotactic radiosurgery (SRS) and fractionated stereotactic radiotherapy (FSRT) have provided seizure reduction or remission in selected cases, particularly where surgery is not viable. For TN, SRS achieves pain relief in 85–90% of patients, with long-term remission and generally mild adverse effects such as facial numbness. Conclusions: Radiotherapy offers a promising, non-invasive approach for selected neurological conditions. Although current data are encouraging, larger randomized trials are essential to establish long-term safety, optimize dosing strategies, and validate efficacy across patient populations. https://apcz.umk.pl/QS/article/view/59893radiotherapystereotactic radiotherapyAlzheimer's diseaseepilepsytrigeminal neuralgia
spellingShingle Klaudia Kulig
Maksymilian Wiśniowski
Aneta Redner
Michal Popiel
Kamil Dziekoński
Patrycja Zwierzchlewska
Kacper Buczek
Kamila Smala
Dominik Stanibuła
Ada Wiśniowska
Radiotherapy in selected non-oncological neurological disorders – efficacy and safety
Quality in Sport
radiotherapy
stereotactic radiotherapy
Alzheimer's disease
epilepsy
trigeminal neuralgia
title Radiotherapy in selected non-oncological neurological disorders – efficacy and safety
title_full Radiotherapy in selected non-oncological neurological disorders – efficacy and safety
title_fullStr Radiotherapy in selected non-oncological neurological disorders – efficacy and safety
title_full_unstemmed Radiotherapy in selected non-oncological neurological disorders – efficacy and safety
title_short Radiotherapy in selected non-oncological neurological disorders – efficacy and safety
title_sort radiotherapy in selected non oncological neurological disorders efficacy and safety
topic radiotherapy
stereotactic radiotherapy
Alzheimer's disease
epilepsy
trigeminal neuralgia
url https://apcz.umk.pl/QS/article/view/59893
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