Researchers revealed scientific evidence that acupuncture is effective against Alzheimer’s disease. (image: Korea Bizwire)
DAEJEON, Feb. 28 (Korea Bizwire) — A research team from the Korea Institute of Oriental Medicine (KIOM) revealed scientific evidence that acupuncture is effective against Alzheimer’s disease.
There are currently 830,000 people over 65 years of age with dementia in South Korea, which means that at least 1 in 10 senior citizens in the country suffer from the disease.
The team carried out a series of acupuncture treatments on a lab rat with Alzheimer’s disease six times over two weeks to see if they had any effect on the rat’s condition.
The acupuncture was carried out on an area between the inner ankle and the Achilles tendon, an area known to be effective in treating dementia and insomnia.
The rats treated with acupuncture, compared to those without the treatment, were 29 percent better in terms of cognition.
In addition, micro-positron emission tomography (PET) imaging showed that the rats treated with acupuncture showed improved activity in the frontal lobe of the brain.
The levels of protein related to inflammatory symptoms in the brain were drastically reduced, and β-amyloid, a substance known to cause dementia, was generated in lower quantities.
“We have scientifically proven the effects of acupuncture, an oriental method of treatment,” said Dr. Lee Jun-hwan of KIOM, who led the team. “We plan to commence with a clinical trial for actual use in hospitals.”
Kevin Lee (kevinlee@koreabizwire.com)
