Meta-analysis finds gamma neuromodulation benefits in schizophrenia and major depressive disorder
Photo by CDC / Unsplash
Key Takeaway
Consider gamma neuromodulation's moderate benefits in schizophrenia and MDD, but note heterogeneity and limited safety data.
This publication is a systematic review and meta-analysis examining the clinical effects of gamma neuromodulation (gamma stimulation) across neuropsychiatric disorders, including schizophrenia, major depressive disorder, bipolar disorder, and autism spectrum disorder. The analysis pooled data from studies with sample sizes of 943 for schizophrenia, 916 for major depressive disorder, 175 for bipolar disorder, and 232 for autism spectrum disorder, though follow-up duration and comparator details were not reported.
Key findings from the meta-analysis include pooled effect sizes indicating improvements in schizophrenia: positive symptoms (g = -0.60, p < 0.001, k = 10), negative symptoms (g = -0.37, p = 0.03, k = 12), depressive symptoms (g = -0.39, p < 0.001, k = 8), anxious symptoms (g = -0.59, p < 0.001, k = 5), and overall cognitive function (g = 0.55, p < 0.001, k = 7). For major depressive disorder, depressive symptoms showed reductions (g = -0.34, p = 0.007, k = 23). Data on bipolar disorder and autism spectrum disorder were not detailed in the results.
The authors note limitations, including substantial heterogeneity likely due to protocol differences and a need for well-powered future trials. Safety data on adverse events, serious adverse events, discontinuations, and tolerability were not reported. Practice relevance is described as gamma neuromodulation showing moderate therapeutic benefits in schizophrenia and major depressive disorder, but the evidence should be interpreted cautiously due to these gaps and variability.
More on Schizophrenia
Parental severe mental illness associated with reduced offspring cognitive and academic performance in large meta-analysis
Children of parents with mental illness face real cognitive hurdles now
This meta-analysis examined 1,586,339 offspring of parents with severe mental illnesses, including schizophrenia, bipolar disorder, and majo…
New research shows kids of parents with severe mental illness struggle with memory and thinking skills, but early help can make a big differ…
Multi-omics data integration in Spanish psychiatric patients and controls
Scientists Are Building a Mental Health Database That Could Change Treatment Forever
This cohort study in Spain involved over 4,400 participants, including approximately 2,300 psychiatric patients and 2,100 controls. The rese…
This project could finally help doctors match the right treatment to the right patient, reducing the trial-and-error that many people face t…
Mendelian randomization suggests loneliness causally increases schizophrenia and major depressive disorder risk.
Feeling Alone May Quietly Rewire Your Mental Health
This Mendelian randomization study investigated the causal relationship between loneliness and severe mental illness, including schizophreni…
Loneliness may directly raise the risk of schizophrenia and depression by changing body chemistry through inflammation, affecting millions o…
GLP-1RAs reduce weight and HbA1c in severe mental illness with low discontinuation rates
New drugs help people with severe mental illness lose weight safely
This systematic review and meta-analysis evaluated glucagon-like peptide-1 receptor agonists in individuals with severe mental illness who h…
New weight loss drugs work well and stay safe for people with severe mental illness who struggle with obesity and high blood sugar.
View Original Abstract ↓
Background: Gamma oscillation dysfunction has been implicated in neuropsychiatric disorders. Restoring gamma oscillations via brain stimulation represents an emerging therapeutic approach. However, the strength of its clinical effects and treatment moderators remain unclear. Method: We conducted a systematic review and meta-analysis to examine the clinical effects of gamma neuromodulation in neuropsychiatric disorders. A literature search for controlled trials using gamma stimulation was performed across five databases up until April 2025. Effect sizes were calculated using Hedge's g. Separate analyses using the random-effects model examined the clinical effects in schizophrenia (SZ), major depressive disorder (MDD), bipolar disorder, and autism spectrum disorder. For SZ and MDD, subgroup analyses evaluated the effects of stimulation modality, stimulation frequency, treatment duration, and pulses per session. Result: Fifty-six studies met the inclusion criteria (NSZ = 943, NMDD = 916, NBD = 175, NASD = 232). In SZ, gamma stimulation was associated with improvements in positive (k = 10, g = -0.60, p < 0.001), negative (k = 12, g = -0.37, p = 0.03), depressive (k = 8, g = -0.39, p < 0.001), anxious symptoms (k = 5, g = -0.59, p < 0.001), and overall cognitive function (k = 7, g = 0.55, p < 0.001). Stimulation frequency and treatment duration moderated therapeutic effects. In MDD, reductions in depressive symptoms were observed (k = 23, g = -0.34, p = 0.007). Conclusion: Gamma neuromodulation showed moderate therapeutic benefits in SZ and MDD. Substantial heterogeneity likely reflects protocol differences, highlighting the need for well-powered future trials.
PETRUSHKA decision-support tool reduced treatment discontinuation and improved symptoms in major depressive disorder
The Algorithm That Helps Doctors Pick the Right Antidepressant for You
Related in Psychiatry
Text-message CBT treatment reduced generalized anxiety disorder symptoms in young adults compared to wait-list control.
Text Message Therapy Reduces Anxiety Symptoms in Young Adults
This randomized clinical trial enrolled 103 young adults with generalized anxiety disorder or major depressive disorder. Participants receiv…
A text message treatment for depression also significantly lowered anxiety symptoms in young adults compared to waiting for care.
Cariprazine showed modest weight reduction versus aripiprazole in schizophrenia patients previously treated with olanzapine.
Cariprazine shows modest weight benefit over aripiprazole in schizophrenia patients
This trial compared cariprazine to aripiprazole in patients with schizophrenia who had previously used olanzapine. While both groups improve…
A trial found cariprazine linked to slightly more weight loss than aripiprazole in people with schizophrenia, though overall differences wer…
Self-help mindfulness and CBT interventions reduce depression and anxiety in distressed students
Mindfulness Apps Help Students Reduce Depression and Anxiety Symptoms
This RCT in 335 distressed university students in China found that self-help mindfulness interventions, with or without CBT, significantly r…
A trial found that online mindfulness programs significantly reduced depression and anxiety symptoms in stressed university students compare…
Values affirmation writing reduced anxiety in first-year minoritized STEM students compared to neutral writing in an RCT.
Writing Exercise Eases Anxiety in Minority STEM Students
This randomized controlled trial enrolled 69 first-year students from minoritized racial and ethnic backgrounds in STEM fields. Participants…
A brief writing exercise helped reduce anxiety and boost belonging among first-year STEM students from minoritized backgrounds.
From Other Specialties
Meta-analysis shows platinum-etoposide plus PD-1/PD-L1 inhibitor improves survival in extensive-stage small-cell lung cancer
Adding PD-1 or PD-L1 inhibitors improves survival for extensive-stage small-cell lung cancer
This meta-analysis of phase III trials evaluated platinum-etoposide combined with a PD-1 or PD-L1 inhibitor versus platinum-etoposide alone …
Adding a PD-1 or PD-L1 inhibitor to standard chemotherapy improves survival for extensive-stage small-cell lung cancer without increasing se…
Systematic review and meta-analysis shows immune checkpoint inhibitors improve survival in first-line ES-SCLC but not as single agents in second-line
Immune drugs boost survival in small-cell lung cancer
This systematic review and meta-analysis evaluates immune checkpoint inhibitors combined with chemotherapy versus chemotherapy alone for ext…
Adding immune checkpoint inhibitors to chemotherapy helps patients with extensive-stage small-cell lung cancer live longer.
Network meta-analysis of anti-PD-1/PD-L1 regimens in advanced non-squamous NSCLC without EGFR or ALK alterations
New drugs beat old ones for advanced lung cancer survival
This systematic review and network meta-analysis evaluated overall survival and progression-free survival across 15 Phase III randomized cli…
New drug combinations show better survival chances for advanced lung cancer patients whether their tumors express PD-L1 or not
Lung Ultrasound Shows Good Diagnostic Accuracy for ARDS in Meta-Analysis of 5888 Patients
Lung ultrasound shows high accuracy for detecting severe breathing trouble in ICU patients
This systematic review and meta-analysis of 5888 patients found that lung ultrasound (LUS) has good diagnostic accuracy for acute respirator…
A large review of 5,888 patients found lung ultrasound is a highly accurate, safe way to check for severe lung injury without using radiatio…