Modulation of Brain Activity and Functional Connectivity by Acupuncture Combined With Donepezil on Mild-to-Moderate Alzheimer's Disease: A Neuroimaging Pilot Study.

ABSTRACT:

Background

Functional brain imaging changes have been proven as potential pathophysiological targets in early-stage AD. Current longitudinal neuroimaging studies of AD treated by acupuncture, which is one of the growingly acknowledged non-pharmacological interventions, have neither adopted comprehensive acupuncture protocols, nor explored the changes after a complete treatment duration. Thus, the mechanisms of acupuncture effects remain not fully investigated.

Objective

This study aimed to investigate the changes in spontaneous brain activity and functional connectivity and provide evidence for central mechanism of a 12-week acupuncture program on mild-to-moderate AD.

Methods

A total of forty-four patients with mild-to-moderate AD and twenty-two age- and education-lev

SUBMITTER: Zhan Y 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC9309357 | biostudies-literature | 2022

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature