Zhang JJQ, et al. - Researchers performed a systematic review and meta-analysis of 26 randomized controlled trials to determine the efficacy of repetitive transcranial magnetic stimulation (rTMS) in reducing craving and consumption among patients with alcohol, nicotine, and illicit drug dependence. Outcomes revealed a significant reduction in craving in correlation with excitatory rTMS of the left dorsolateral pre-frontal cortex (DLPFC) vs sham stimulation. Moreover, the total number of stimulation pulses were identified to be significantly positively associated with effect size among studies using excitatory left DLPFC stimulation. However, excitatory rTMS of the left DLPFC and excitatory deep TMS of the bilateral DLPFC and insula vs sham stimulation had significant consumption-reducing effects when examining substance consumption. The anti-craving effect seemed to be related to stimulation dose.