Memory loss is one of the early symptoms of Alzheimer’s
disease, which is the most common form of dementia. The hippocampus is a major
component of human brain and plays important roles in memory formation and
spatial navigation. It is one of the first brain regions to develop neurodegeneration
and suffer neuronal loss in Alzheimer’s disease. Short term memory loss and disorientation
are among the early signs of Alzheimer’s. As the disease advances, symptoms
include confusion, trouble with language and long term memory loss. There is
currently no cure for Alzheimer’s disease.
Acupuncture has been used to improve memory and other
cognitive functions in Alzheimer’s disease in China. However the underlying
mechanisms of therapeutic effects of acupuncture treatment are unclear. A recent
study using functional magnetic resonance imaging technique looked at the
changes in functional connectivity between hippocampus and cerebral cortex in
patients with Alzheimer’s disease. The study led by Dr. Zhiqun Wang showed that
before acupuncture functional connectivity decreased in the hippocampus
compared to healthy subjects. Following acupuncture stimulations at Hegu (LI4)
and Taichong (L3) acupoints hippocampal functional connectivity increased
compared to that of before acupuncture. This study showed that acupuncture stimulation
at specific acupoints is able to modulate neuronal activities in the specific
brain regions, indicating its specific therapeutic effects.
Reference:
Wang Z et al., Acupuncture
modulates resting state hippocampal functional connectivity in Alzheimer
disease. PLoS One. 2014 Mar 6;9(3):e91160. doi: 10.1371/journal.pone.0091160.http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/24603951
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