A meta-analysis of non-invasive brain stimulation (NIBS) effects on cerebellar-associated cognitive processes

Rachele Pezzetta; Filippo Gambarota; Vincenza Tarantino; Maria Devita; Zaira Cattaneo; Giorgio Arcara; Daniela Mapelli; Fabio Masina

doi:10.1016/j.neubiorev.2023.105509

A meta-analysis of non-invasive brain stimulation (NIBS) effects on cerebellar-associated cognitive processes

Neurosci Biobehav Rev. 2024 Feb:157:105509. doi: 10.1016/j.neubiorev.2023.105509. Epub 2023 Dec 13.

Authors

Rachele Pezzetta¹, Filippo Gambarota², Vincenza Tarantino³, Maria Devita⁴, Zaira Cattaneo⁵, Giorgio Arcara¹, Daniela Mapelli⁶, Fabio Masina¹

Affiliations

¹ IRCCS San Camillo Hospital, Vernice, Italy.
² Department of Developmental and Social Psychology, University of Padova, Padova, Italy.
³ Department of Psychology, Educational Science and Human Movement, University of Palermo, Italy.
⁴ Department of General Psychology, University of Padova, Padova, Italy; Geriatrics Unit, Department of Medicine, University of Padova, Padova, Italy. Electronic address: maria.devita@unipd.it.
⁵ Department of Human and Social Sciences, University of Bergamo, Bergamo, Italy.
⁶ Department of General Psychology, University of Padova, Padova, Italy.

PMID: 38101590
DOI: 10.1016/j.neubiorev.2023.105509

Abstract

Non-invasive brain stimulation (NIBS) techniques, including transcranial magnetic stimulation (TMS) and transcranial electrical stimulation (tES), have provided valuable insights into the role of the cerebellum in cognitive processes. However, replicating findings from studies involving cerebellar stimulation poses challenges. This meta-analysis investigates the impact of NIBS on cognitive processes associated with the cerebellum. We conducted a systematic search and analyzed 66 studies and 91 experiments involving healthy adults who underwent either TMS or transcranial direct current stimulation (tDCS) targeting the cerebellum. The results indicate that anodal tDCS applied to the medial cerebellum enhances cognitive performance. In contrast, high-frequency TMS disrupts cognitive performance when targeting the lateral cerebellar hemispheres or when employed in online protocols. Similarly, low-frequency TMS and continuous theta burst stimulation (cTBS) diminish performance in offline protocols. Moreover, high-frequency TMS impairs accuracy. By identifying consistent effects and moderators of modulation, this meta-analysis contributes to improving the replicability of studies using NIBS on the cerebellum and provides guidance for future research aimed at developing effective NIBS interventions targeting the cerebellum.

Keywords: Cerebellum; Cognitive functions; Non-invasive brain stimulation; Transcranial direct current stimulation; Transcranial electrical stimulation; Transcranial magnetic stimulation.

Publication types

Meta-Analysis
Review

MeSH terms

Adult
Cerebellum / physiology
Cognition / physiology
Humans
Transcranial Direct Current Stimulation* / methods
Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation / methods