Modulatory effects of acupuncture on brain networks in mild cognitive impairment patients

Functional magnetic resonance imaging has been widely used to investigate the effects of acupuncture on neural activity. However, most functional magnetic resonance imaging studies have focused on acute changes in brain activation induced by acupuncture. hTus, the time course of the therapeutic effects of acupuncture remains unclear. In this study, 32 patients with amnestic mild cognitive impairment were randomly divided into two groups, where they received eitherTiaoshen Yizhi acupuncture or sham acupoint acupuncture. hTe needles were either twirled atTiaoshen Yizhi acupoints, includingSishencong (EX-HN1),Yintang (EX-HN3),Neiguan (PC6),Taixi (KI3),Fenglong (ST40), andTaichong (LR3), or at related sham acupoints at a depth of approximately 15 mm, an angle of ± 60°, and a rate of approximately 120 times per minute. Acupuncture was conducted for 4 consecutive weeks, ifve times per week, on weekdays. Resting-state functional mag-netic resonance imaging indicated that connections between cognition-related regions such as the insula, dorsolateral prefrontal cortex, hippocampus, thalamus, inferior parietal lobule, and anterior cingulate cortex increased atfer acupuncture atTiaoshen Yizhi acupoints. hTe insula, dorsolateral prefrontal cortex, and hippocampus acted as central brain hubs. Patients in theTiaoshen Yizhi group exhibited improved cognitive performance atfer acupuncture. In the sham acupoint acupuncture group, connections between brain regions were dis-persed, and we found no differences in cognitive function following the treatment. hTese results indicate that acupuncture atTiaoshen Yizhi acupoints can regulate brain networks by increasing connectivity between cognition-related regions, thereby improving cognitive function in patients with mild cognitive impairment.