Evidence map›Paper›PMID 39717470›Full record

SynthesisFrontiers in psychology2024

Evaluating semantic control with transcranial magnetic stimulation: a systematic review with meta-analysis.

Ettore Ambrosini, Silvia Benavides-Varela, Antonino Visalli, Giada Viviani, Maria Montefinese

Abstract readSystematic Review
In one paragraph

Synthesis in Frontiers in psychology, 2024. The graph could read no effect estimate from its abstract, so it casts no vote on the map. Cited by 2 papers.

0numbers the graph read from it
0cells of the map it votes in
2citing 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

2 citing papers in PubMed.

  1. Article
  2. Article
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

5 authors.

Ettore AmbrosiniDepartment of Neuroscience, University of Padova, Padova, Italy.
Silvia Benavides-VarelaDepartment of Neuroscience, University of Padova, Padova, Italy.
Antonino VisalliIRCCS San Camillo Hospital, Venice, Italy.
Giada VivianiDepartment of Developmental and Social Psychology, University of Padova, Padova, Italy.
Maria MontefineseDepartment of Developmental and Social Psychology, University of Padova, Padova, Italy.

Funding

No grant is acknowledged in the PubMed record.

6 · The paper itself

Abstract

Background: This meta-analysis investigates the role of specific brain regions in semantic control processes using Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation (TMS). According to the Controlled Semantic Cognition framework, control processes help manage the contextually appropriate retrieval of semantic information by activating a distributed neural network, including the inferior frontal gyrus, the posterior middle temporal gyrus, and inferior parietal lobule. Lesions in these areas can lead to difficulties in manipulating weakly activated or competing semantic information. Researchers have used TMS to simulate such deficits in healthy individuals. Method: By synthesizing results from TMS studies that targeted these regions, we aimed to evaluate whether neurostimulation over these areas can effectively impair participants' performance under high semantic control demands. Results: Results from different meta-analytical approaches consistently showed no significant effects of TMS, especially after correcting for publication bias. Nevertheless, variability in experimental methodologies was evident. Conclusion: These findings raise questions about the effectiveness of TMS in simulating deficits in semantic control and highlight the need for methodological improvements in future studies to enhance reliability and interpretability.

Indexed as

controlled semantic cognitionsemantic aphasiasemantic controlsemantic representationtranscranial magnetic stimulation

Identifiers

PMID39717470
PMCPMC11663645

What OpenQuestion holds

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Registered trials

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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.