SynthesisBrain and behavior2025
Effects of Repetitive Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation on Tumor Necrosis Factor Alpha in Neuropsychological Disorders: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis.
Synthesis 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 6 papers.
What it found
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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.
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.
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Who cites it
6 citing papers in PubMed.
- Accelerated Theta Burst Stimulation Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation (iTBS-TMS)Brain, behavior, & immunity - health · 2026Article
- Mitochondrial transplantation for delirium superimposed on dementia: from pathogenic mechanisms to clinical translation challenges.Frontiers in aging neuroscience · 2026Review
- Heart-Brain Axis Dysregulation in Depression: Mechanisms and Implications for Neuromodulation.Neuropsychiatric disease and treatment · 2026Review
- Putative Neuroimmune Mechanisms and Candidate Biomarkers of rTMS Efficacy in Improving Negative Symptoms of Schizophrenia: Evidence Boundaries and Translational Pathways.Neuropsychiatric disease and treatment · 2026Review
- Computational Analysis andCurrent medicinal chemistry · 2026Article
- The glymphatic system as a therapeutic target: TMS-induced modulation in older adults.Frontiers in aging neuroscience · 2025Article
Corrections and comments
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Authors and funding
3 authors.
Funding
No grant is acknowledged in the PubMed record.
Abstract
introductionRepetitive transcranial magnetic stimulation (rTMS) shows promise in treating neuropsychological disorders. This systematic review and meta-analysis investigated the effects of rTMS on inflammatory cytokines and brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) under these conditions.
methodWe searched five electronic databases for relevant studies. Twelve studies (six randomized controlled trials [RCTs] and six cohort studies) were included in the systematic review, with six RCTs included in the meta-analysis. The primary outcome was tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-α) levels, with secondary outcomes including interleukin-6 (IL-6), interleukin-1 beta (IL-1β), high-sensitivity C-reactive protein (hs-CRP), interferon-gamma (IFN-γ), and BDNF.
resultsMeta-analysis revealed a significant decrease in TNF-α levels after rTMS (weighted mean difference [WMD]: -6.65, 95% confidence interval [CI]: -10.47-2.83, p < 0.05), with greater effects associated with longer interventions. No significant change was found in the IL-6 levels. BDNF levels increased significantly (WMD: 7.97, 95% CI: 2.8-13.15, p < 0.05). Qualitative synthesis indicated consistent reductions in IL-1β. High heterogeneity was observed in some analyses.
conclusionrTMS may exert therapeutic effects on neuropsychological disorders partly through modulating neuroinflammation and promoting neuroplasticity. However, high heterogeneity and study limitations necessitate larger, more standardized clinical trials to confirm these effects and explore their clinical significance.
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