Evidence map›Paper›PMID 30251765›Full record

ArticleHuman brain mapping2019

The effects of individualised intermittent theta burst stimulation in the prefrontal cortex: A TMS-EEG study.

Sung Wook Chung, Caley M Sullivan, Nigel C Rogasch, Kate E Hoy, Neil W Bailey, Robin F H Cash, Paul B Fitzgerald

Abstract read
In one paragraph

Article in Human brain mapping, 2019. The graph could read no effect estimate from its abstract, so it casts no vote on the map. Cited by 44 papers.

0numbers the graph read from it
0cells of the map it votes in
44citing papers in PubMed
–field-weighted citation impact
1 · What the graph read from it

What it found

Each row is one number read from the abstract, on the scale the paper reported it, with its interval. Left of the dashed line favours the treatment, right favours the comparator. Under each row is the sentence it came from. New to these charts? A ten-minute tutorial.

The abstract states no effect estimate the extractor could read, or names no intervention and outcome on the map, so this paper lights no cell and moves no belief. It is still indexed, cited and linked below.

2 · The registry

The trial behind it

Trials whose registry record cites this paper, or whose number appears in the abstract. A trial that started after this paper was published is citing it as background, not reporting it.

Neither the registry nor the abstract names a trial number. If this is a trial report, that itself is worth knowing.

3 · Its place in the literature

Who cites it

44 citing papers in PubMed.

  1. Trial
  2. Trial
  3. Theta burst stimulation for the treatment of obsessive-compulsive disorder: a pilot study.Journal of neural transmission (Vienna, Austria : 1996) · 2019
    Trial
  4. Personalized, EEG-controlled intermittent theta burst stimulation.medRxiv : the preprint server for health sciences · 2026
    Article
  5. Review
  6. Review
  7. Article
  8. Article
  9. Article
  10. Identifying neural circuitry abnormalities in neuropathic pain with transcranial magnetic stimulation and electroencephalogram co-registration.Neurotherapeutics : the journal of the American Society for Experimental NeuroTherapeutics · 2025
    Article
  11. Article
  12. Article
  13. Review
  14. Article
  15. Article
  16. Review
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  19. Article
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4 · The record

Corrections and comments

PubMed lists nothing against this paper. Absence here is not a guarantee, only a check that was made.

5 · Who and what money

Authors and funding

7 authors.

Sung Wook ChungMonash Alfred Psychiatry Research Centre, Monash University, Central Clinical School and The Alfred, Melbourne, Australia.ORCID 0000-0001-8022-8037
Caley M SullivanMonash Alfred Psychiatry Research Centre, Monash University, Central Clinical School and The Alfred, Melbourne, Australia.
Nigel C RogaschBrain and Mental Health Laboratory, School of Psychological Sciences and Monash Biomedical Imaging, Monash Institute of Cognitive and Clinical Neuroscience, Monash University, Melbourne, Australia.
Kate E HoyMonash Alfred Psychiatry Research Centre, Monash University, Central Clinical School and The Alfred, Melbourne, Australia.
Neil W BaileyMonash Alfred Psychiatry Research Centre, Monash University, Central Clinical School and The Alfred, Melbourne, Australia.
Robin F H CashMonash Alfred Psychiatry Research Centre, Monash University, Central Clinical School and The Alfred, Melbourne, Australia.
Paul B FitzgeraldMonash Alfred Psychiatry Research Centre, Monash University, Central Clinical School and The Alfred, Melbourne, Australia.

Funding

Monash Graduate ScholarshipNational Health and Medical Research CouncilNHMRC Career Development Fellowship 1082894NHMRC Early Career Fellowship 1072057NHMRC Practitioner Fellowship 1078567
6 · The paper itself

Abstract

Recent studies have highlighted variability in response to theta burst stimulation (TBS) in humans. TBS paradigm was originally developed in rodents to mimic gamma bursts coupled with theta rhythms, and was shown to elicit long-term potentiation. The protocol was subsequently adapted for humans using standardised frequencies of stimulation. However, each individual has different rhythmic firing pattern. The present study sought to explore whether individualised intermittent TBS (Ind iTBS) could outperform the effects of two other iTBS variants. Twenty healthy volunteers received iTBS over left prefrontal cortex using 30 Hz at 6 Hz, 50 Hz at 5 Hz, or individualised frequency in separate sessions. Ind iTBS was determined using theta-gamma coupling during the 3-back task. Concurrent use of transcranial magnetic stimulation and electroencephalography (TMS-EEG) was used to track changes in cortical plasticity. We also utilised mood ratings using a visual analogue scale and assessed working memory via the 3-back task before and after stimulation. No group-level effect was observed following either 30 or 50 Hz iTBS in TMS-EEG. Ind iTBS significantly increased the amplitude of the TMS-evoked P60, and decreased N100 and P200 amplitudes. A significant positive correlation between neurophysiological change and change in mood rating was also observed. Improved accuracy in the 3-back task was observed following both 50 Hz and Ind iTBS conditions. These findings highlight the critical importance of frequency in the parameter space of iTBS. Tailored stimulation parameters appear more efficacious than standard paradigms in neurophysiological and mood changes. This novel approach presents a promising option and benefits may extend to clinical applications.

Indexed as

AdultAffectCortical SynchronizationElectroencephalographyEvoked PotentialsFemaleGamma RhythmHumansMaleMemory, Short-TermPrefrontal CortexTheta RhythmTranscranial Magnetic StimulationYoung Adultmoodprefrontal cortextheta burst stimulation (TBS)theta-gamma couplingTMS-EEGworking memory

Identifiers

PMID30251765
PMCPMC6865598

What OpenQuestion holds

Textmetadata
Read underepoch 390

Registered trials

None linked

Read under generation 80e0d062 · epoch 390. Bibliography from PubMed, PubMed Central and OpenAlex; grants from NIH RePORTER; trial links from ClinicalTrials.gov; estimates, votes and beliefs from the OpenQuestion graph.