Evidence map›Paper›PMID 42384237›Full record

SynthesisBrain structure & function2026

Neurobiological after-effects and clinical efficacy of transcranial magnetic stimulation (TMS) in Parkinson's disease: a systematic review.

Antimo Buonocore, Giovanna Vermiglio, Salvatore Citro, Celeste Cafaro, Ciro De Luca, Angelica Di Cecca, Giovanna Sepe, Lorenza Marcello, Andrea Soricelli, Carlo Cavaliere and 1 more

Abstract readSystematic ReviewReview
PubMed Publisher
In one paragraph

Synthesis in Brain structure & function, 2026. The graph could read no effect estimate from its abstract, so it casts no vote on the map. Not yet cited in PubMed.

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

0 citing papers in PubMed.

No citing paper in PubMed yet.

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

11 authors.

Antimo Buonocore *Department of Educational, Psychological and Communication Sciences, Suor Orsola Benincasa University, Naples, 80135, Italy.
Giovanna Vermiglio *Department of Biomedical, Dental, Morphological and Functional Imaging Sciences, University of Messina, Messina, 98122, Italy.
Salvatore CitroIRCCS SYNLAB SDN, Via E. Gianturco, 113, Naples, 80143, Italy.
Celeste CafaroDepartment of Educational, Psychological and Communication Sciences, Suor Orsola Benincasa University, Naples, 80135, Italy.
Ciro De LucaDivision of Human Anatomy, Neuronal Networks Morphology & Systems Biology Lab, Department of Mental and Physical Health and Preventive Medicine, University of Campania "Luigi Vanvitelli, Via L. Armanni, 5, Naples, 80138, Italy.
Angelica Di CeccaIRCCS SYNLAB SDN, Via E. Gianturco, 113, Naples, 80143, Italy.
Giovanna SepeDivision of Human Anatomy, Neuronal Networks Morphology & Systems Biology Lab, Department of Mental and Physical Health and Preventive Medicine, University of Campania "Luigi Vanvitelli, Via L. Armanni, 5, Naples, 80138, Italy.
Lorenza MarcelloDivision of Human Anatomy, Neuronal Networks Morphology & Systems Biology Lab, Department of Mental and Physical Health and Preventive Medicine, University of Campania "Luigi Vanvitelli, Via L. Armanni, 5, Naples, 80138, Italy.
Andrea SoricelliIRCCS SYNLAB SDN, Via E. Gianturco, 113, Naples, 80143, Italy.
Carlo Cavaliere *IRCCS SYNLAB SDN, Via E. Gianturco, 113, Naples, 80143, Italy.
Giovanni Cirillo *Division of Human Anatomy, Neuronal Networks Morphology & Systems Biology Lab, Department of Mental and Physical Health and Preventive Medicine, University of Campania "Luigi Vanvitelli, Via L. Armanni, 5, Naples, 80138, Italy. giovanni.cirillo@unicampania.it.ORCID https://orcid.org/0000-0003-3183-8773

Funding

Ministero dell'Istruzione, dell'Università e della Ricerca P2022ST78TMinistero dell'Istruzione, dell'Università e della Ricerca PE0000006
6 · The paper itself

Abstract

Parkinson's disease (PD) is a progressive neurodegenerative disorder characterized by motor and non-motor symptoms, deeply affecting quality of life. While pharmacological and surgical treatments like levodopa and deep brain stimulation (DBS) are standard, limitations in long-term efficacy and accessibility have led to growing interest in non-invasive neuromodulatory approaches such as transcranial magnetic stimulation (TMS). This systematic review aims to critically appraise the evidence on the clinical efficacy and neurobiological effects of TMS in PD, encompassing motor and non-motor symptom modulation, neurophysiological biomarkers, and neuroimaging findings. Following PRISMA-ScR guidelines, literature was searched in MEDLINE, EMBASE, and Scopus. Fifty eligible clinical studies were analyzed, with 28 directly addressing TMS effects on PD through clinical, neurophysiological, or imaging outcomes. High-frequency repetitive TMS (rTMS) over the primary motor cortex (M1) shows moderate efficacy in improving bradykinesia and rigidity. Stimulation of supplementary motor area (SMA) and dorsolateral prefrontal cortex (DLPFC) yielded variable effects on gait and mood. Neurophysiological studies consistently report alterations in intracortical excitability (e.g., reduced SICI, shortened CSP), partially restored by TMS and modulated by medication or DBS. Imaging studies revealed changes in functional connectivity and dopamine release post-TMS. Notably, the clinical state ("on" vs. "off" medication), stimulation parameters, and methodological heterogeneity significantly influenced outcomes. TMS represents a promising adjunctive therapy in PD, with evidence supporting its modulatory role on cortical excitability and potential clinical benefit. However, heterogeneity in protocols, small sample sizes, and placebo effects limit definitive conclusions. Future research should prioritize standardized methodologies, exploration of optimal stimulation parameters, identification of predictive biomarkers, and integration with rehabilitative strategies to personalize treatment. Rigorous, sham-controlled trials with long-term follow-up are essential to establish TMS as a reliable therapeutic tool in PD management.

Indexed as

BrainParkinson DiseaseTranscranial Magnetic StimulationHumansMotor CortexTreatment OutcomeBiomarkersCortical excitabilityDeep brain stimulation (DBS)Motor symptomsNeuroimagingNeurophysiologyNeuroplasticityNon-invasive brain stimulation (NIBS)Non-motor symptomsParkinson’s diseaseRepetitive TMS (rTMS)Transcranial magnetic stimulation (TMS)

Identifiers

PMID42384237

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.