Major depressive disorder is a recurrent and debilitating
mental disorder. Acupuncture is very effective to alleviate the symptoms of
major depressive disorder, by increasing the level of serotonin in the brain,
according to a report recently published in the journal Neuroscience Letter.
It is reported that major depressive disorder affects
about 7% of the population over age of 18 in the United State, according to the
National Institute of Mental Health. Psychological, physiological and social
symptoms of the disorder persist for weeks and are bad enough to interfere with
work, social life and family life. Although the exact cause of major depressive
order is unclear it is believed that decreased level of serotonin, a
neurotransmitter, in the brain area hippocampus is closely linked to the disorder.
Up to 80% of patients with major depressive disorder were reported to be
treated with selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors. Although the drugs
produced temporary symptomatic relief, severe side effects occurred with
long-term use. Although acupuncture is used to treat the disorder its mechanism
of action is not known.
Scientists in China recently conducted a study to explore
the potential mechanism of acupuncture treatment on major depressive disorder. The
study was performed on major depressive disorder model. Electro-acupuncture
stimulation was applied at acupoints ST36 bilaterally and CV4 for 20 min once
daily for 14 consecutive days. Outcome included behavioural and biochemical
assessments tested before and after acupuncture. Data showed that depressive
behaviour was significantly improved by acupuncture compared untreated group.
Biochemical studies showed that the concentration of serotonin in the
hippocampus was markedly elevated following acupuncture stimulation.
The study suggested that acupuncture stimulation at
acupoint ST36 and CV4 increased the level of serotonin in the brain leading to
the symptomatic relieve in depressive model.
Reference:
JJ Le et al., Electroacupuncture
regulate hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal axis and enhance hippocampal serotonin
system in a rat model of depression. Neurosci Lett. 2016 Jan 7. pii:
S0304-3940(16)30004-0. http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/26773866
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