Call for papers - Noninvasive brain stimulation for mental disorders

Guest Editors

Hanna Lu, PhD, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, China
Xin-hui Xie, MD, PhD, Washington University in Saint Louis, USA

Submission Status: Open | Submission Deadline: 13 November 2025

BMC Psychiatry welcomes submissions to our Noninvasive brain stimulation (NBS) for mental disorders Collection. This Collection aims to explore the efficacy, applications, and innovations in NBS for various mental health disorders. By showcasing diverse research, we seek to advance understanding and improve treatment options, ultimately enhancing the well-being of individuals affected by mental health challenges.

New Content Item This Collection supports and amplifies research related to SDG 3: Good Health and Well-being.

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Meet the Guest Editors

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Hanna Lu, PhD, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, China

Dr Lu works as Assistant Professor and Core Member of the Neuromodulation Clinic at the Department of Psychiatry at The Chinese University of Hong Kong. Her research interests focus on the development of personalized transcranial neuromodulation, and using this technique to decode cognitive function and for treatment of brain disorders. Her studies have been published on renowned journals, and projects from her team have won the best paper award for the Asian Oceanian Congress of Neurology and the Healthy Longevity Catalyst Award.

Xin-hui Xie, MD, PhD, Washington University in Saint Louis, USA

Dr Xie’s research primarily focuses on exploring the mechanisms of brain stimulation, particularly electroconvulsive therapy (ECT), and developing strategies to improve its application. Given the complexity of neuroscience research, he employs a multidisciplinary approach that integrates neuroimaging, genetics, and brain-derived extracellular vesicles to investigate the biological mechanisms underlying depression and ECT. Based on clinical data, he designed a novel strategy called Hybrid-ECT. Preliminary clinical trials have demonstrated that Hybrid-ECT achieved comparable efficacy to standard ECT while significantly reducing side effects, particularly cognitive impairments.

About the Collection

BMC Psychiatry is calling for submissions to our Collection on Noninvasive brain stimulation for mental disorders. As the global burden of mental illness continues to rise, there is an urgent need to develop and refine interventions that are effective, accessible, and evidence-based. Noninvasive brain stimulation techniques have emerged as promising tools for the treatment of various mental disorders, providing new avenues for therapeutic innovation.

This Collection aims to showcase research on the mechanisms, efficacy, safety, and clinical applications of noninvasive brain stimulation in the management of psychiatric disorders. From foundational studies exploring neurobiological effects to large-scale clinical trials, we welcome contributions that deepen our understanding of these technologies and their impact on mental health.

Topics of interest include, but are not limited to:

Applications of repetitive transcranial magnetic stimulation (rTMS), transcranial direct current stimulation (tDCS), and electroconvulsive therapy (ECT) in depression, schizophrenia, and bipolar disorder
Emerging stimulation techniques, such as transcranial alternating current stimulation (tACS), transcranial random noise stimulation (tRNS) and transcranial focused ultrasound stimulation (tFUS)
Neurophysiological mechanisms underlying treatment effects and biomarkers for response prediction
Treatment optimization, including stimulation parameters, dose-response relationships, and combination therapies
Long-term efficacy, safety, and tolerability of noninvasive brain stimulation in clinical populations
Translational research and computational modeling to inform clinical applications

By gathering innovative studies and diverse perspectives, this Collection seeks to inform clinical practice and inspire further advancements in the field.

All manuscripts submitted to this journal, including those submitted to collections and special issues, are assessed in line with our editorial policies and the journal’s peer review process. Reviewers and editors are required to declare competing interests and can be excluded from the peer review process if a competing interest exists.

This Collection supports and amplifies research related to SDG 3: Good Health and Well-being.

There are currently no articles in this collection.

Submission Guidelines

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This Collection welcomes submission of original Research Articles. Should you wish to submit a different article type, please read our submission guidelines to confirm that type is accepted by the journal. Articles for this Collection should be submitted via our submission system, Snapp. During the submission process you will be asked whether you are submitting to a Collection, please select "Noninvasive brain stimulation for mental disorders" from the dropdown menu.

All manuscripts submitted to this journal, including those submitted to collections and special issues, are assessed in line with our editorial policies and the journal’s peer review process. Reviewers and editors are required to declare competing interests and can be excluded from the peer review process if a competing interest exists.