In adulthood nerves outside of brain and spine cord are
able to regenerate after being damaged. The affected part of the body can
regain the function. However it was believed that in adulthood brain and spine
cord neuron regeneration is unlikely. The loss of neurons in the brain and
spine cord, due to injury, disease and aging were considered to be permanent in
mammals. The study showing neurogenesis capacity in the adult mammalian brain reported
in 1965 raised the hope that adult mammalian brain has intrinsic reparative power.
Manipulations enhancing the neurogenesis can be a new approach for the
treatment of neurodegenerative disoreders. However how to enhance
neurogenesis in adult brain is a big challenge.
Acupuncture has been used to treat stroke, spine cord
injury in China. Earlier acupuncture treatment enhances the recovery in
patients with spine cord injury or stroke. Recently acupuncture is used to
treat Parkinson’s disease and dementia.
What are the underlying mechanisms of acupuncture treatment
of neurological disorders?
Studies reported that Zusanli (ST36) is the most common
acupoint used in adult brain neurogenesis. Electronic acupuncture stimulation
at Zusanli enhanced cell proliferation and differentiation in the dentate gyrus
of the hippocampus and the subventricular zone of lateral ventricles in brain. The
dentate gyrus is closely associated with memory formation. Both subventricular
zone and dentate gyrus serves as a source of new stem cells in the process of
adult neurogenesis.
The results of the studies indicated that acupuncture
stimulated growth of stem cells in adult brain. It is possible new stem cells
may migrate to other brain areas to replace the damaged or lost neurons. This may
explain at least partially that enhancing neurogenesis can be one of mechanisms
of acupuncture efficacy for some neurological disorders such as stroke,
Parkinson’s and Alzheimer’s.
Reference:
Nam MH et al., Acupuncture
stimulation induces neurogenesis in adult brain. In BY Zeng, K Zhao & FR
Liang (Eds), Neurobiology of Acupuncture (Int Rev Neurobiol. Vol. 111: pp. 67-90).
New York: Academic Press. http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/24215918
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