Evidence map›Paper›PMID 40538226›Full record

ArticleCNS neuroscience & therapeutics2025

Exploring the Influence of Left Dorsolateral Prefrontal Cortex Intermittent Theta-Burst Stimulation on Working Memory Load: An EEG Study in Healthy Participants.

Ya-Wen Li, Qian Ding, Jing Chen, Yu-Hong Huang, Shan-Tong Yao, Zheng-Hong Chen, Yue Lan, Guang-Qing Xu

Abstract read
In one paragraph

Article in CNS neuroscience & therapeutics, 2025. The graph could read no effect estimate from its abstract, so it casts no vote on the map. Cited by 5 papers, 1 of them a synthesis that pooled it.

0numbers the graph read from it
0cells of the map it votes in
5citing papers in PubMed, 1 pooled it
–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

5 citing papers in PubMed, 1 synthesis or guideline pooled it.

  1. Pooled it
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  5. 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

8 authors.

Ya-Wen LiGuangdong Cardiovascular Institute, Guangdong Provincial People's Hospital, Guangdong Academy of Medical Sciences, Guangzhou, China.
Qian DingDepartment of Rehabilitation Medicine, Guangdong Provincial People's Hospital (Guangdong Academy of Medical Sciences), Southern Medical University, Guangzhou, China.ORCID 0000-0002-5961-5945
Jing ChenDepartment of Rehabilitation Medicine, Guangdong Provincial People's Hospital (Guangdong Academy of Medical Sciences), Southern Medical University, Guangzhou, China.
Yu-Hong HuangGuangdong Cardiovascular Institute, Guangdong Provincial People's Hospital, Guangdong Academy of Medical Sciences, Guangzhou, China.
Shan-Tong YaoDepartment of Rehabilitation Medicine, Guangdong Provincial People's Hospital (Guangdong Academy of Medical Sciences), Southern Medical University, Guangzhou, China.
Zheng-Hong ChenDepartment of Rehabilitation Medicine, The First Affiliated Hospital, Sun Yat-Sen University, Guangzhou, China.
Yue LanDepartment of Rehabilitation Medicine, Guangzhou First People's Hospital, School of Medicine, South China University of Technology, Guangzhou, China.
Guang-Qing XuDepartment of Rehabilitation Medicine, Guangdong Provincial People's Hospital (Guangdong Academy of Medical Sciences), Southern Medical University, Guangzhou, China.ORCID 0000-0003-2029-8177

Funding

Guangdong Medical Research Foundation A2024500 (QD)Guangzhou Municipal Science and Technology Program 202201020378 (YL)Guangzhou Municipal Science and Technology Program 202206010197 (YL)Guangzhou Municipal Science and Technology Program 2024A04J3082 (QD)National Natural Science Foundation of China 82072548 (GX)National Natural Science Foundation of China 82102678 (QD)National Natural Science Foundation of China 82272588 (GX)National Natural Science Foundation of China 82472619 (YL)Natural Key Research and Development Program of China 2022YFC2009700 (YL)
6 · The paper itself

Abstract

aimsWorking memory (WM), a short-term cognitive process involving the prefrontal cortex, is critical for daily functioning. This study investigated the effects of iTBS on WM performance and its neural mechanisms in healthy adults.

methodsThirty-one healthy adults completed 1-back and 2-back tasks while undergoing EEG recording. Each received both active and sham iTBS over the left dorsolateral prefrontal cortex separately. Behavioral performance, EEG power, and functional connectivity were analyzed.

resultsActive iTBS significantly increased theta power in prefrontal cortices during the 1-back task. It also enhanced alpha band connectivity between the left prefrontal and right parietal cortices. In the 2-back task, iTBS increased beta band connectivity between the right prefrontal and right parietal cortices, and alpha band connectivity between the left and right parietal cortices. No significant behavioral differences were found.

conclusionThese findings suggest that iTBS effects on WM are primarily reflected in large-scale oscillatory network dynamics, rather than solely in localized cortical activity or behavioral performance.

Indexed as

Dorsolateral Prefrontal CortexMemory, Short-TermPrefrontal CortexTheta RhythmTranscranial Magnetic StimulationAdultElectroencephalographyFemaleFunctional LateralityHealthy VolunteersHumansMaleYoung AdultEEGfunctional connectivityintermittent theta‐burst stimulationN‐backworking memory capacity

Identifiers

PMID40538226
PMCPMC12179433

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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.