[Asia Economy Reporter Junho Hwang] A study has revealed that acupuncture (electroacupuncture), one of the representative treatments in Korean medicine, improves symptoms of Alzheimer's disease (dementia). The research shows significant benefits in improving Alzheimer's symptoms, including enhanced cognitive function in the brain and reduced production of inflammatory proteins. The Korea Institute of Oriental Medicine announced on the 27th that the research team led by Clinical Medicine Department Head Junho Lee scientifically proved the efficacy of acupuncture treatment for Alzheimer's disease.
Improvement of Brain Function through Acupuncture Treatment
In the new object recognition test (NOR test), the Taegye acupoint electroacupuncture stimulation group (experimental group) of the Alzheimer's animal model showed approximately 29% improvement in the ability to recognize new objects compared to the Alzheimer's animal group (control group).
The research team confirmed the efficacy of acupuncture treatment for Alzheimer's through animal experiments. They performed cognitive function enhancement experiments by applying acupuncture to the Taegye point located between the malleolus and Achilles tendon of experimental mice. The experimental group received a total of six electroacupuncture treatments, three times a week for two weeks, while the control group received no treatment. A novel object recognition test was conducted to evaluate learning ability and long-term memory. As a result, the cognitive function of the experimental group receiving electroacupuncture at the Taegye point improved by approximately 29%.
Additionally, in the brains of mice treated with acupuncture, glucose production increased by about 11%, and activity in the frontal lobe was enhanced. When measuring brain inflammation changes highly correlated with Alzheimer's disease, the experimental group showed a significant decrease in the production of inflammation-related proteins (GFAP, COX2) by 32% and 36%, respectively. Microglial cells, which play a major role in brain inflammatory responses, were reduced by approximately 47%. The production of beta-amyloid, known as a major factor in disease onset and found in Alzheimer's patients, also decreased by about 30%.
Scientific Verification of Acupuncture Treatment Efficacy
Stimulating the Taegye acupoint with electroacupuncture increased the metabolic rate in the brain (frontal lobe) of animals with Alzheimer's disease.
Clinical Medicine Department researcher Eunjin Yang stated, "We will strive to scientifically verify the efficacy of electroacupuncture treatment for various diseases in the future to establish scientific evidence for Korean medical treatment techniques."
Research leader Junho Lee said, "This study is meaningful not only for demonstrating the efficacy of electroacupuncture, a Korean medicine treatment technique, but also for scientifically elucidating its mechanism. We will continue research to increase its clinical applicability in Korean medicine hospitals and clinics."
This study was published in the international journal on neuroinflammation, 'Journal of Neuroinflammation.'
Meanwhile, dementia is
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