Mechanisms of repetitive transcranial magnetic stimulation for anti-depression: Evidence from preclinical studies

Table 1 Main preclinical findings on antidepressant mechanisms of repetitive transcranial magnetic stimulation

Ref.	Model	rTMS				Main findings
		Frequency (Hz)	Intensity (T)	Duration (d)	Coil size
Tian et al[21], 2020	CUMS	15	1.26	7	Inner diameter 2.5 cm; outer diameter 5 cm (SD rats)	Regulation of Nrf2-induced anti-inflammatory effect in the hippocampus
Yang et al[42], 2019	CUS	1	20 mT	14	Not mentioned	Enhancement of synaptic plasticity in the hippocampus
Xue et al[45], 2019	CUS	5	1.26	7	Inner diameter 2.5 cm; outer diameter 5 cm (SD rats)	Activation of the ECS in the hippocampus
Zhao et al[49], 2018	CUMS	10	50% of the resting motor threshold	15	5 cm in diameter (SD rats)	Decreasing the activity of the HPA axis
Heath et al[48], 2018	OB	10	50 mT	20	8 mm in diameter (C57BL/6J mice)	Activation of the BDNF signaling pathway and pro-proliferative in the hippocampus
Fang et al[43], 2018	CUMS	15	rTMS device maximum power	7	Not mentioned	Activation of the ECS in the hippocampus
Peng et al[68], 2017	CUS	5/10	0.84/1.26	7	Inner diameter 2.5 cm; outer diameter 5 cm (SD rats)	Suppression of Sirt1/MAO-A signaling in the PFC
Chen et al[47], 2015	CUS	15	1.26	7	Inner diameter 2.5 cm; outer diameter 5 cm (SD rats)	Activation of the BDNF signaling pathway and pro-proliferative in the hippocampus
Wang et al[44], 2014	CUMS	15	rTMS device maximum power	7	Inner diameter 2.5 cm; outer diameter 5 cm (SD rats)	Activation of the ECS and BDNF signaling pathway in the hippocampus
Kim et al[78], 2014	CUMS	10	1.4	14	7 cm in diameter (SD rats)	Changing metabolic patterns in the brain
Feng et al[46], 2012	CUMS	15	rTMS device maximum power	21	Inner diameter 5 cm; outer diameter 7 cm (SD rats)	Decreasing the activity of the HPA axis, and activation of BDNF signaling pathway in the hippocampus
Tasset et al[29], 2010	OB	60	0.7 mT	14	Not mentioned	Anti-oxidative stress effects

BDNF: Brain derived neurotrophic factor; CUS: Chronic unpredictable stress; CUMS: Chronic unpredictable mild stress; ECS: Endocannabinoid system; HPA axis: Hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenocortical axis; MAO-A: Monoamine oxidase A; Nrf2: Nuclear factor-E2-related factor 2; OB: Olfactory bulbectomy; PFC: Prefrontal cortex; rTMS: Repetitive transcranial magnetic stimulation; SD rats: Sprague Dawley rats; Sirt1: Sirtuin 1.