Evidence map›Paper›PMID 39924992›Full record

ArticleBrain and behavior2025

Exploring the Effects of Cerebellar tDCS on Brain Connectivity Using Resting-State fMRI.

Beatriz Catoira, Debora Lombardo, Stefanie De Smet, Raquel Guiomar, Peter Van Schuerbeek, Hubert Raeymaekers, Natacha Deroost, Frank Van Overwalle, Chris Baeken

Abstract read
In one paragraph

Article in Brain and behavior, 2025. The graph could read no effect estimate from its abstract, so it casts no vote on the map. Cited by 4 papers.

0numbers the graph read from it
0cells of the map it votes in
4citing 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

4 citing papers in PubMed.

  1. Trial
  2. Trial
  3. Article
  4. Review
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

9 authors.

Beatriz CatoiraDepartment of Psychiatry (UZ Brussel), Vrije Universiteit Brussel, Brussels, Belgium.ORCID https://orcid.org/0000-0003-0099-7173
Debora LombardoDIBRIS, University of Genova, Genova, Italy.
Stefanie De SmetGhent Experimental Psychiatry (GHEP) Lab, Ghent University, Ghent, Belgium.
Raquel GuiomarCenter for Research in Neuropsychology and Cognitive and Behavioral Intervention, Faculty of Psychology and Educational Sciences, University of Coimbra, Coimbra, Portugal.
Peter Van SchuerbeekDepartment of Radiology, UZ Brussel, Brussels, Belgium.
Hubert RaeymaekersDepartment of Radiology, UZ Brussel, Brussels, Belgium.
Natacha DeroostDepartment of Psychology and Center for Neuroscience, Vrije Universiteit Brussel, Brussels, Belgium.
Frank Van OverwalleDepartment of Psychology and Center for Neuroscience, Vrije Universiteit Brussel, Brussels, Belgium.
Chris BaekenDepartment of Psychiatry (UZ Brussel), Vrije Universiteit Brussel, Brussels, Belgium.

Funding

Fonds Wetenschappelijk Onderzoek 3F001120Fonds Wetenschappelijk Onderzoek G011018NQueen Elisabeth Medical Foundation T000720NVrije Universiteit Brussel SRP57
6 · The paper itself

Abstract

purposeThe cerebellum's role extends beyond motor control, impacting various cognitive functions. A growing body of evidence supports the idea that the cerebellum optimizes performance across cognitive domains, suggesting critical connectivity with the neocortex. This study investigates how cerebellar transcranial direct current stimulation (tDCS) targeting the right Crus II region modulates functional brain connectivity.

methodUsing a within-subject design, 21 healthy participants underwent both sham and anodal cerebellar tDCS at 2 mA during 20 min of concurrent resting-state fMRI sessions. Data was preprocessed, and connectivity changes were examined using seed-to-voxel analysis. Given the potential impact of cerebellar dysfunctions on symptoms associated with autism spectrum disorders, we also assessed how individual autism quotient (AQ) scores might influence cerebellar functional connectivity. Moreover, electrical field simulations were computed for each participant to explore the effects of individual differences.

findingsResults indicated increased functional connectivity between the cerebellar Crus II and the right inferior frontal gyrus (IFG) during active tDCS compared to sham stimulation. The IFG (part of the Action Observation Network) plays a crucial role in understanding the actions and intentions of others, implicating the cerebellum in higher-order cognitive processes. In addition, linear mixed-effects models revealed an interaction between electric field strength and AQ scores, suggesting that functional connectivity changes are based on individual psychobiological differences.

conclusionCerebellar tDCS significantly altered functional brain connectivity, particularly between the cerebellar Crus II and the IFG, both involved in social cognition. These findings contribute to our understanding of the cerebellum's role beyond motor control, highlighting its impact on cognitive and social processes and its potential for therapeutic applications, such as autism spectrum disorders.

Indexed as

BrainCerebellumTranscranial Direct Current StimulationAdultBrain MappingFemaleHumansMagnetic Resonance ImagingMaleNerve NetNeural PathwaysYoung Adultcerebellumdefault mode networkfMRImentalizingtDCS

Identifiers

PMID39924992
PMCPMC11808187

What OpenQuestion holds

Textmetadata
LicenceCC BY
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.