In a research study published this week, researchers found that MRI scans of the brain during acupuncture showed increased activity in several areas of the hippocampus. The hippocampus is the area of the brain that is primarily associated with memory and emotions, both of which can be impaired in those persons affected by Alzheimer’s disease. After receiving acupuncture on a combination of points that are known for increasing circulation throughout the body, Alzheimer’s patients underwent MRI scans that showed increased connectivity in both the frontal and lateral temporal regions of the hippocampus. The researchers concluded that this new evidence may “provide deep understanding of the therapeutic effect of acupuncture and open a new avenue for the treatment of AD in the future.”
Alzheimer’s Disease affects over 5 million people in the United States alone and is the 6th leading cause of death in the US.
Read a summary of the article here, or check out the full research article here.
For more information about Alzheimer’s Disease click here.