Acupuncture stimulation improves learning-memory ability and
autism related protein expression in the brain of autism model according to a
study reported in journal Zhen Ci Yan Jiu (Acupuncture Research).
Autism is a neurodevelopmental disorder that affects social
interaction, communication, interests and behaviour. It is one of autism
spectrum disorders which also include Asperger syndrome and pervasive
developmental disorder. People with autism have difficulty in communicating and
forming relations with others. The cause of autism is not clear. It is believed
that combination of genetic and environmental factors may cause the changes in
the connection and organization of never cells and their synapses leading to
the alternation in information processing in the brain. There is no cure for the condition, however, a range of specialist and behavioural programmes can improve
many skills of children with autism.
Researchers in China investigated how acupuncture helps
autism in an autism rat model. The autism model was found to have delayed
eye-open time and slower swimming speed assessed by eye-open tests and swimming
test respectively and compared with normal controls. Then autism model was
given acupuncture stimulation at GV1 acupoint once a day, Monday to Friday, for
30 day. Evaluation of autism model at the end of acupuncture showed that learning-memory
ability was significantly improved measured by Morris water maze tasks test
compared with baseline and non-acupoint treated model group. Biochemical
studies revealed that gap junction-related protein connexin 43 (CX43), CX32 and
CX36 were markedly decreased in the prefrontal cortex of autism model brain. Those
gap junction proteins provide electrical couplings between neurons and other
cells which are essential for signal transduction and help information processing
in the brain. Acupuncture significantly increased the expression of reduced
CX32, CX36 and CX43 proteins in the brain compared with non-acupoint treated
model group.
The study suggests that acupuncture has a potential in
improving learning-memory function in autism and this is related its ability to
modulate the expression of CX32, CX36 and CX43 proteins.
Reference:
Hong YZ et al., [Influence of acupuncture of
"Changqiang" (GV 1) on learning-memory ability and gap
junction-related protein expression in the prefrontal cortex in autism rats]. Zhen
Ci Yan Jiu. 2014 Jun;39(3):173-9. http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/25069191
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