Neurology

Specialist paediatric neurology care

The Neurology department at Great Ormond Street Hospital provides specialist paediatric neurology diagnosis and treatment for children with neurological disorders, including rare and highly complex conditions. GOSH is one of the largest centres for paediatric neurology in Europe, caring for children referred from across the UK and internationally to our specialist children’s hospital in London.

Our multidisciplinary team includes paediatric neurologists, neurosurgeons, neurophysiologists, geneticists, specialist nurses and therapists who work together to deliver coordinated, child-centred care. The department manages a wide range of neurological conditions, including epilepsy, genetic and metabolic neurological disorders, movement disorders and neuroinflammatory diseases. The team is also frequently asked to provide expert opinions on complex or rare neurological conditions and supports families seeking specialist diagnosis or second opinions.

European collaboration in epilepsy care

In 2017, GOSH was appointed the lead centre for EpiCARE, a Europe-wide network that brings together specialist centres to improve diagnosis, research and treatment for rare and complex epilepsies.

Advanced therapies and genetic medicine

Advances in genetic medicine are transforming the treatment of some neurological conditions. Gene therapies are now available for certain rare disorders, delivering a functional copy of a faulty gene directly into a patient’s cells to address the underlying genetic cause of disease.

One example is Aromatic L-amino acid decarboxylase deficiency (AADC), a rare inherited condition affecting the production of key brain chemicals such as dopamine and serotonin. A gene therapy called Eladocagene exuparvovec (marketed as Upstaza) has shown encouraging results in clinical studies, with many treated children achieving important developmental milestones and improvements in quality of life. Eligible patients with confirmed AADC deficiency may be assessed for this treatment at GOSH.

Research and academic collaboration

The department works closely with researchers at the UCL Great Ormond Street Institute of Child Health, one of the world’s leading centres for paediatric research. GOSH clinicians are recognised leaders in neurological research and have received national research honours, including appointments as NIHR Senior Investigators, reflecting the hospital’s role in developing new treatments and improving outcomes for children with rare neurological diseases.

Referral information

Please note that private referrals are not available for patients who are eligible for NHS care within Neurology. Children with neurological conditions typically require long-term, coordinated management involving specialist teams and local paediatric services. Early communication with a child’s local care providers is essential to ensure continuity of care and appropriate long-term support.