Review TMS

Personalised Nutrition and Brain Plasticity: An Integrated Perspective

How low-glycaemic diets and prefrontal neuromodulation combine to modulate long-term eating behaviour.

Prof. Elena Rossi

Prof. Elena Rossi

Dept. of Clinical Neuroscience, University of Milan · 18 Feb 2026

Key Takeaways

  • Combined nutrition + TMS interventions show greater weight loss than either treatment alone.
  • Individual response depends on baseline gut-brain microbiota profile.
  • Predictive models based on pre-treatment fMRI help select ideal candidates.

Gut-brain axis and executive control

Plasticity induced by TMS on the dorsolateral prefrontal cortex interacts with signals from the gut-brain axis. Patients with marked dysbiosis benefit from parallel nutritional protocols that stabilise systemic inflammatory response.

Towards personalised protocols

BMH is developing algorithms integrating metabolic data, body composition and functional connectivity to adapt stimulation frequency and intensity. First results from the multicentre pilot will be presented at the European brain stimulation congress.

"Personalisation is not just about diet: it is also about how and when we stimulate the brain."
— Prof. Elena Rossi, University of Milan

Prof. Elena Rossi

Prof. Elena Rossi

Full Professor of Clinical Neuroscience at the University of Milan. Director of the BMH Neuromodulation Lab. Her research focuses on non-invasive brain stimulation for metabolic and psychiatric disorders. She has authored over 80 peer-reviewed publications and led 6 multicentre clinical trials.