Acupuncture is a promising therapy for amnestic mild cognitive impairment (aMCI). Growing evidence suggest that alterations in the microbiota-gut-brain (MGB) axis contribute to the development and progression of aMCI. However, little is known about whether and how acupuncture change the MGB axis of aMCI individuals. This was a randomized, controlled, clinical trial. Forty patients with aMCI were randomly allocated to either the acupuncture group or the waitlist group. The primary outcome was the change in the Alzheimer's Disease Assessment Scale-Cognitive Scale (ADAS-Cog) score. In addition, multi-omics was performed to detect changes in brain function, gut microbiota, and serum metabolites. Generalized estimating equations were used to estimate the outcomes, and correlational analyses were performed to explore the relationships between the clinical and multi-omics data. Compared to a mean baseline to week 12 change of -3.94 in the acupuncture group, the mean change in the waitlist group was 1.72 (net difference, -5.66 [95 % CI, -6.98 to -4.35]). Compared to the waitlist group, acupuncture's MGB axis modulatory effect exhibited altered the regional homogeneity values of Frontal_Med_Orb_L, Cingulum_Mid_L, and Frontal_Sup_Medial_L, relative abundance of gut Ruminococcus_sp_AF43_11 and s_Eubacterium_coprostanoligenes, and levels of serum (11E,15Z)-9,10,13-trihydroxyoctadeca-11,15-dienoic acid, dipropylene glycol dimethyl ether, N6-Me-dA, and DPK, which correlated with changes in ADAS-Cog scores. Our data imply that acupuncture ameliorates overall cognitive function, along with changes in brain activity, gut microbiota, and serum metabolites, providing preliminary evidence of the mechanisms acting through the MGB axis underlying the effects of acupuncture on aMCI.

Previous studies have reported alterations in brain structure in major depressive disorder (MDD) patients with suicide attempts. However, age-related changes in suicidal MDD patients remain unclear. We performed a systematic review following the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses (PRISMA) guidelines. Embase, PubMed, and Web of Science were searched to identify relevant studies from inception to January 2023. All voxel-based and surface-based morphometry studies comparing suicidal MDD patients to MDD or healthy controls were included. Studies were then grouped by age range (old, middle-age, adolescent) and the commonalities and age-related structural brain alterations were summarized. The included studies were evaluated using the Newcastle-Ottawa Scale (NOS). A total of 17 studies met the inclusion criteria, including 3 of late-life depression (LLD) patients, 11 of middle-aged depression (MAD) patients, and 3 of adolescent depression (AOD) patients. The majority of studies had moderate to high NOS scores, indicating good quality. Patients in all three age groups exhibited extensive alterations in the lateral, medial, and orbital regions of the frontal lobes. Furthermore, suicidal MAD patients showed a specific decrease in the gray matter volume of the dorsolateral prefrontal cortex compared to suicidal LLD patients. Cortical thickness and left angular gyrus volume were decreased in suicidal MAD and suicidal LLD patients, but increased in suicidal AOD patients. This systematic review summarizes structural brain changes in suicidal MDD patients at three age groups: elderly, middle-aged, and adolescent. These findings help elucidate the common circuitry of MDD related to suicide over the lifespan and highlight unique circuitry associated with different ages. These findings may help predict the risk of suicide in MDD patients at different ages.

Background: Acupoint catgut embedding (ACE) has been proven to be effective and safe in the treatment of obesity, but few studies have been conducted involving its central mechanisms. Our previous study has demonstrated the effectiveness of Shu-Mu ACE in the treatment of abdominal obesity (AO). However, the neurological mechanism of Shu-Mu ACE for weight loss has not yet been elucidated. The mechanism of the combination of the Shu and Mu acupoints may be related to the central integrative effects of the brain. This paper aims to explore the potential neural mechanisms of Shu-Mu ACE in female patients with AO. Methods and Analysis: A total of 100 eligible female AO patients and 20 healthy female subjects will be recruited for this study. 100 AO patients will be randomly allocated to five groups: Shu-Mu ACE (Group A), Shu ACE (Group B), Mu ACE (Group C), sham ACE (Group D), and waiting-list (Group E). Treatment will be administrated once every two weeks for 12 weeks. The body mass index (BMI), waist circumference (WC), Visual Analog Scales (VAS) of appetite, Self-Rating Anxiety Scale (SAS), and Self-Rating Depression Scale (SDS) will be utilized to evaluate the clinical efficacy. Outcomes will be assessed at baseline and at each time point of treatment. Multimodal MRI will be performed at baseline and after 12-week treatment and the results will be used to investigate the neural mechanisms of ACE for obesity. Neurological changes and clinical data will be analysed for correlation. Discussions: This study hypothesized that Shu-Mu ACE therapy has a synergistic effect and may treat AO by modulating the neuropathological alterations in the brain. Our findings will demonstrate the neurological mechanism of AO treated by “Shu-Mu” Acupoint Catgut Embedding and compatibility relation. Trial Registration: This trial is registered at the Chinese Clinical Trial Registration Center (No. ChiCTR2100048920).

Introduction Migraine is a widespread neurological disorder characterised by recurrent moderate-to-severe headaches. These headaches can seriously affect patients’ daily life and work, especially during acute attacks when patients often need immediate pain relief. This study aims to assess the immediate analgesic effect of acupuncture for 10 min during acute migraine attacks. Methods and analysis The study will randomly divide 80 participants into either the acupuncture group or the sham acupuncture group with an allocation ratio of 1:1. Each group will receive 10 min of treatment, and the post-treatment evaluation will be performed after 0, 0–2, 4, 6, 8 and 10 min of acupuncture. The primary outcome is the pain Visual Analogue Scale (VAS) score assessed before and after treatment at 10 min. Additionally, secondary outcomes include the pain VAS score assessed at 0–2, 4, 6 and 8 min, blinding assessment and treatment effectiveness expectations scale. Data will be collected at baseline time and the end of treatment (after 10 min). Adverse events during each treatment period will be collected and recorded. Ethics and dissemination Ethics approval was obtained from the Ethics Committee of the Second Affiliated Hospital of Yunnan University of Chinese Medicine (2022–008). All participants will provide written informed consent before randomisation. The results of this study will be published in a peer-reviewed journal and presented at conferences. Trial registration number Chinese Clinical Trial Registration Center (ChiCTR2200066976).

Introduction Stiff neck is a condition mainly characterised by persistent pain and limited neck movement, which can substantially impact patients’ daily lives during acute episodes. Accordingly, rapid pain relief and restoration of normal activities are the main needs of patients during doctor visits. This study aims to assess the immediate efficacy of acupuncture combined with active exercises in rapidly relieving pain and improving movement disorders within 10 min in patients with acute stiff neck (ASN). Methods and analysis This randomised controlled clinical trial is being conducted at a single centre in China. 120 participants diagnosed with ASN will randomly be assigned in a 1:1:1 ratio to one of three groups: the acupuncture combined with active exercise group (group A), sham acupuncture combined with active exercise group (group B) and active exercise only group (group C). Each participant will undergo a single 10 min session. The primary outcome is the effective rate at 10 min of treatment. Secondary outcomes include the effective rate at other time points (0–1, 2, 4, 6 and 8 min), Visual Analogue Scale score and cervical range of motion. The intention-to-treat analysis will include all randomised participants. Ethics and dissemination Ethics approval was obtained from the Ethics Committee of the Second Affiliated Hospital of Yunnan University of Chinese Medicine (2022-009). Written informed consent will be obtained from all participants before randomisation. The findings of this study will be disseminated through publication in a peer-reviewed journal and presentation at conferences. Trial registration number ChiCTR2200066997.

Background: Post-stroke cognitive impairment (PSCI) is a severe central nervous system disorder for which acupuncture demonstrates therapeutic efficacy. Various neuroimaging studies have indicated that acupuncture may exert its effects through modulating central mechanisms. However, owing to the current lack of a systematic summary, this study aimed to integrate the existing evidence. Methods: Two independent reviewers conducted a search across eight databases and other sources, identifying potential neuroimaging trials on acupuncture for PSCI, spanning from the inception of the databases to August 25, 2024. Eligible studies were screened based on predefined inclusion and exclusion criteria, and their methodological quality was assessed. Results: Twelve studies, including 671 participants, utilized manual acupuncture (n = 10), electroacupuncture (n = 1), or a combination of both (n = 1). Neuroimaging tools comprised functional magnetic resonance imaging (n = 7), electroencephalography (n = 2), magnetic resonance spectroscopy (n = 2), and functional near-infrared spectroscopy (n = 1). All studies consistently reported positive effects of acupuncture on patients suffering from PSCI. Changes in brain structure and function resulting from acupuncture are commonly observed in the cingulate cortex, parahippocampal gyrus, prefrontal cortex, and fusiform gyrus. Acupuncture appears to modulate cognition-related networks, including the default mode, central executive, frontoparietal, and salience networks, thereby influencing PSCI. Conclusion: The therapeutic effects of acupuncture on PSCI may be mediated through the regulation of cognition-related brain networks. Yet, these studies remain at an exploratory stage, necessitating a combination of multiple imaging techniques and large, strictly designed multicenter RCTs to validate the neuroimaging findings.