title: Potential role of repetitive transcranial magnetic stimulation in obesity.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Repetitive transcranial magnetic stimulation (rTMS) is a non-invasive technique with mild side effects. Some forms of obesity may arise from eating disorders and recent data suggest that rTMS treatment could have beneficial effects in eating disorders.
  
  
  OBJECTIVE
  The purpose of this comprehensive review is to hypothesize that rTMS may play a role in obesity.
  
  
  METHODS
  Articles were selected based on a search on medline using the terms "rTMS", "food craving", "eating disorders", "addiction", and "obesity". They were published between 1995 and 2013.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Repetitive transcranial magnetic stimulation has been evaluated in the treatment of bulimia nervosa. It appears that it exerts its effect via the reduction of the level of craving for food. Obesity is being recognized as one of the endpoints of food addiction and craving. Besides, rTMS and transcranial direct current stimulation are brain stimulation techniques being used in the treatment of psychoactive substance addiction.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Repetitive transcranial magnetic stimulation, through the reduction of food craving may be a potential treatment for a subset of individuals suffering from obesity. Further studies with a higher number of subjects are still needed to confirm the effects of rTMS on obesity.
authors: Psychiatric Hospital of the Cross, Jalledib, Lebanon, ramiboukhalil@hotmail.com.
authors: Rami
authors: R
authors: Bou Khalil
authors: Charline
authors: C
authors: El Hachem
mesh_terms: D001068:Feeding and Eating Disorders / Q000628:therapy*; D006801:Humans; D009765:Obesity / Q000628:therapy*; D050781:Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation