As societies age rapidly, the long-term medical and economic burdens of major neurological diseases -such as Alzheimer’s disease, Parkinson’s disease, and stroke- are increasing.
Digital therapeutics (DTx), defined as evidence-based therapeutic interventions delivered via software for disease prevention, management, or treatment, are emerging as a novel paradigm in neurology. Unlike general health apps, DTx are developed for medical purposes and require clinical validation and regulatory approval. As of 2025, over 500 DTx products have been approved globally, including in the United States, China, Germany, and Belgium.
DTx can be classified by purpose (e.g., prevention, treatment, adherence support), relationship to conventional care (standalone or adjunctive), and delivery modality (e.g., mobile apps, tablets, video games). In neurology, DTx are increasingly applied to remote cognitive training, symptom monitoring, and motor rehabilitation. Recent studies from 2023 to 2025 show growing evidence for their clinical effectiveness and usability in neurodegenerative and cerebrovascular diseases. This review outlines the current status of DTx in neurology with a focus on recent clinical trials, regulatory trends, and product platforms. Future directions include multimodal integrations, expanded reimbursement, regulatory streamlining, and personalized digital interventions. DTx offer significant potential to transform neurological care in an aging population.