An update on the effects of cerebellar transcranial magnetic stimulation on cognitive function

Transcranial magnetic stimulation (TMS), a non-invasive neuromodulation technique, is widely employed in treating various neurological and psychiatric disorders due to its favorable safety and tolerability profile. While traditionally recognized for its role in motor control, accumulating evidence implicates the cerebellum in regulating non-motor functions, including cognition. Historically, TMS research predominantly targeted cortical brain regions. However, leveraging the functional and structural characteristics of the cerebellum, recent investigations have increasingly focused on the cerebellum as a stimulation target, exploring the effects of cerebellar transcranial magnetic stimulation (CRB-TMS) on cognitive function.This review presents an overview of the current understanding and status of the cerebellar-cognitive connection. It critically examines the effects of cerebellar CRB-TMS on different cognitive functions, such as memory, language, attention and executive function .And it discusses the effects of different stimulation modes and stimulation sites on cognitive functions. Furthermore, it explores the research progress and potential clinical applications of CRB-TMS for cognitive disorders. We summarize key findings, discuss underlying mechanisms, and outline future research directions to inform the optimization of CRB-TMS for modulating cognitive function.