Acupuncture therapy for Alzheimer’s disease

Alzheimer’s disease (AD) is the most common form of dementia. It was first described by German neuropathologist and psychiatrist Alois Alzheimer in 1906 and was named after him. AD is a neurodegenerative disorder and is recognized to progress through three stages: preclinical, mild cognitive impairment and dementia. In preclinical stage, the biomarkers such as plasma amyloid beta measurement can be used as prognostic marker. A recent study identified a set of lipid metabolites in blood plasma that showed 90% accurate prediction of those who would go on to show cognitive impairment within 3 years. In mild cognitive impairment, patients have cognitive deficits, where the memory of recent facts and spatial orientation is affected but not functional impairment. In AD dementia, a decline in two or more cognitive domains have gradually progressed to the points that functioning at work or daily activities such as speech is impaired. Currently there is no cure for the disease. The medication is only symptomatic relief with adverse effects.

In China acupuncture is utilized to enhance memory and recently is used to treat Alzheimer’s. Clinical studies recruited 20 AD patients reported that acupuncture stimulation at the Baihui (GV 20), Shenshu (BL 23), Xuehai (SP 10) and Geshu (BL 17) acupoints for 12 weeks was very effective in improving AD symptoms judged by the scores of Alzheimer’s Disease Assessment Scale-Cognitive Section. The biochemical study showed that the concentration of isoprostane, a marker for peroxidation of fatty acid, was significantly decreased in cerebrospinal fluid, blood and urine of patients with AD after acupuncture treatments. Although this study had a small sample size it showed acupuncture is a promising alternative therapy for Alzheimer’s disease.

Reference:

H Zhu (2010) Zhongguo Zhen Jiu. 30(1):18-21.  http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/20353108