Uploaded September 2026 | Updated September 2026, 3 weeks ago
STEIN Fireside Podcast: Pediatric Dystonia, DBS & Hope: Dr. Keith Coffman on Transforming Young Lives, S1-Ep17
How do you restore movement to a child whose body has become trapped by dystonia?
In this episode of the STEIN Fireside Chat Podcast, Dr. Bryan Klassen and Dr. Kai Miller sit down with Dr. Keith Coffman, pediatric neurologist and movement disorders specialist at Mayo Clinic. Dr. Coffman shares his journey from childhood fascination with psychology and neuroscience to becoming a leading expert in pediatric dystonia, Tourette syndrome, and deep brain stimulation (DBS).
The discussion explores the science of movement disorders, the anatomy of the basal ganglia, and how advancements in neuromodulation are changing the lives of children with severe neurological conditions. Dr. Coffman also shares remarkable patient stories demonstrating how DBS can restore function, independence, and quality of life in children affected by devastating forms of dystonia.
Topics include:
• Pediatric dystonia and movement disorders
• Deep brain stimulation (DBS) in children
• Tourette syndrome and basal ganglia circuitry
• Neuroanatomy and systems neuroscience
• Patient selection for neuromodulation
• Genetics and dystonia
• The future of adaptive DBS and sensing technologies
• Compassionate care for children and families
Whether you're a clinician, researcher, patient advocate, engineer, or simply fascinated by the brain, this episode offers a compelling look into the intersection of neuroscience, technology, and human resilience.
00:00 Intro & Keith Coffman’s Reputation in Pediatric Dystonia
02:04 Childhood Influences, Psychology & Finding Neurology
06:18 Discovering Neurodevelopmental Disabilities
07:40 Training at Pittsburgh & Influential Mentors
09:28 Research Passion, Neuroanatomy & Peter Strick
13:44 Why Movement Disorders Became His Calling
15:30 Reading Movement Disorders Through the Physical Exam
17:40 The Early Days of Pediatric Deep Brain Stimulation (DBS)
19:25 First DBS Patient & Building a Pediatric Neuromodulation Program
22:32 Dystonia Types, Genetics & DBS Outcomes
24:43 Primary vs Secondary Dystonia Explained
26:33 Cerebral Palsy, Anatomy & DBS Patient Selection
29:05 Tractography and the Future of Personalized Neuromodulation
31:00 GPI Stimulation, Parkinsonism & DBS Side Effects
36:30 Case Study: Teen Athlete Transformed by DBS
41:55 The Biggest Challenge in Dystonia: Understanding the Physiology
49:17 Tourette Syndrome, Anxiety, OCD & Brain Circuits
57:47 Caring for Children, Families & Lessons from ALS
01:05:12 Rapid-Onset Dystonia, DBS Recovery & Genetics
01:13:24 Why Dystonia Looks Different Even Within Families
STEIN Fireside Podcast: Pediatric Dystonia, DBS & Hope: Dr. Keith Coffman on Transforming Young Lives, S1-Ep17
How do you restore movement to a child whose body has become trapped by dystonia?
In this episode of the STEIN Fireside Chat Podcast, Dr. Bryan Klassen and Dr. Kai Miller sit down with Dr. Keith Coffman, pediatric neurologist and movement disorders specialist at Mayo Clinic. Dr. Coffman shares his journey from childhood fascination with psychology and neuroscience to becoming a leading expert in pediatric dystonia, Tourette syndrome, and deep brain stimulation (DBS).
The discussion explores the science of movement disorders, the anatomy of the basal ganglia, and how advancements in neuromodulation are changing the lives of children with severe neurological conditions. Dr. Coffman also shares remarkable patient stories demonstrating how DBS can restore function, independence, and quality of life in children affected by devastating forms of dystonia.
Topics include:
• Pediatric dystonia and movement disorders
• Deep brain stimulation (DBS) in children
• Tourette syndrome and basal ganglia circuitry
• Neuroanatomy and systems neuroscience
• Patient selection for neuromodulation
• Genetics and dystonia
• The future of adaptive DBS and sensing technologies
• Compassionate care for children and families
Whether you're a clinician, researcher, patient advocate, engineer, or simply fascinated by the brain, this episode offers a compelling look into the intersection of neuroscience, technology, and human resilience.
00:00 Intro & Keith Coffman’s Reputation in Pediatric Dystonia
02:04 Childhood Influences, Psychology & Finding Neurology
06:18 Discovering Neurodevelopmental Disabilities
07:40 Training at Pittsburgh & Influential Mentors
09:28 Research Passion, Neuroanatomy & Peter Strick
13:44 Why Movement Disorders Became His Calling
15:30 Reading Movement Disorders Through the Physical Exam
17:40 The Early Days of Pediatric Deep Brain Stimulation (DBS)
19:25 First DBS Patient & Building a Pediatric Neuromodulation Program
22:32 Dystonia Types, Genetics & DBS Outcomes
24:43 Primary vs Secondary Dystonia Explained
26:33 Cerebral Palsy, Anatomy & DBS Patient Selection
29:05 Tractography and the Future of Personalized Neuromodulation
31:00 GPI Stimulation, Parkinsonism & DBS Side Effects
36:30 Case Study: Teen Athlete Transformed by DBS
41:55 The Biggest Challenge in Dystonia: Understanding the Physiology
49:17 Tourette Syndrome, Anxiety, OCD & Brain Circuits
57:47 Caring for Children, Families & Lessons from ALS
01:05:12 Rapid-Onset Dystonia, DBS Recovery & Genetics
01:13:24 Why Dystonia Looks Different Even Within Families
