Evidence map›Paper›PMID 40100389›Full record

SynthesisExperimental brain research2025

The synergistic effects of cycloserine and anodal tDCS: a systematic review and meta-analysis.

Fernanda Cristina Poscai Ribeiro, July Samy Brasil, Diego Carneiro Vianna, Kleber Fernando Pereira, Felipe Fregni

Abstract readSystematic ReviewMeta-Analysis
PubMed Publisher
In one paragraph

Synthesis in Experimental brain research, 2025. The graph could read no effect estimate from its abstract, so it casts no vote on the map. Cited by 1 paper.

0numbers the graph read from it
0cells of the map it votes in
1citing 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

1 citing paper in PubMed.

  1. 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.

Fernanda Cristina Poscai RibeiroDepartment of Internal Medicine, Universidade Do Oeste Paulista, Guarujá, SP, Brazil. fernandaposcai@gmail.com.ORCID http://orcid.org/0000-0002-8824-3490
July Samy BrasilDepartment of Internal Medicine, Universidade Do Oeste Paulista, Guarujá, SP, Brazil.
Diego Carneiro ViannaDepartment of Internal Medicine, Universidade Do Oeste Paulista, Guarujá, SP, Brazil.
Kleber Fernando PereiraFaculty of Medicine, Universidade Federal Do Paraná, Toledo, PR, Brazil.ORCID http://orcid.org/0000-0002-5102-6273
Felipe FregniSpaulding Neuromodulation Center and Center for Clinical Research Learning, Spaulding Rehabilitation Hospital and Massachusetts General Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA.ORCID http://orcid.org/0000-0002-1703-7526

Funding

No grant is acknowledged in the PubMed record.

6 · The paper itself

Abstract

This systematic review examines the synergistic effects of Cycloserine and anodal transcranial direct current stimulation (tDCS) on cortical excitability and clinical outcomes. tDCS, a non-invasive neuromodulation technique, modulates cortical excitability, potentially enhancing neuroplasticity. Cycloserine, a partial agonist at NMDA receptors, may potentiate tDCS effects by stabilizing receptor activity. A comprehensive database search identified five eligible studies focusing on healthy participants, with one involving patients with depression. Meta-analysis revealed that Cycloserine prolonged cortical excitability 60 min post-tDCS (SMD: 0.66, 95% CI: 0.05 to 1.27), with the greatest effect observed at a 100 mg dosage (SMD: 0.78, 95% CI: 0.26 to 1.31). Although this suggests a potential enhancement of tDCS efficacy, clinical improvements, such as in depression or motor learning, were not consistently significant across studies. Overall, while Cycloserine appears to extend tDCS-induced cortical excitability, more robust clinical trials are necessary to confirm its therapeutic benefits.

Indexed as

Cortical ExcitabilityCycloserineTranscranial Direct Current StimulationHumansCycloserineCortical excitabilityCycloserineNeuroplasticityNMDA receptortDCS

Identifiers

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.