From the Guidelines
Recent studies have shown that electroacupuncture at specific acupoints, such as LI 4 and LR 3, can increase Brain-Derived Neurotrophic Factor (BDNF) levels and alleviate depressive symptoms, as demonstrated by Kang et al. in 2021 1.
Key Findings
- BDNF plays a crucial role in neuroplasticity, cognitive function, and mental health, and its levels can be influenced by various factors, including exercise, diet, sleep, and stress.
- Electroacupuncture has been shown to increase BDNF levels and improve depressive symptoms, with studies suggesting that it may be a useful adjunctive treatment for depression.
- The most recent and highest quality study on this topic, published in 2022, found that electroacupuncture at acupoints LI 4 and LR 3 increased BDNF and TrkB levels, relieving depression by regulating BDNF and its receptor TrkB 1.
Mechanisms
- The exact mechanisms by which electroacupuncture increases BDNF levels are not fully understood, but it is thought to involve the regulation of various signaling pathways, including the GluN2B/CaMKII/CREB pathway.
- Other studies have suggested that electroacupuncture may also promote neurogenesis, reduce inflammation, and improve synaptic plasticity, all of which may contribute to its antidepressant effects.
Clinical Implications
- The findings of these studies suggest that electroacupuncture may be a useful treatment option for patients with depression, particularly those who have not responded to traditional treatments.
- Further research is needed to fully understand the mechanisms by which electroacupuncture increases BDNF levels and to determine its efficacy as a treatment for depression in larger clinical trials.
- Additionally, studies have shown that BDNF is also associated with other conditions such as Alzheimer's disease and Parkinson's disease, and that electroacupuncture may have a potential role in the treatment of these conditions as well 1.
From the Research
Latest Research on BDNF
- BDNF is a key molecule involved in plastic changes related to learning and memory, with its expression being highly regulated and variable in healthy subjects 2.
- Changes in BDNF expression are associated with both normal and pathological aging, as well as psychiatric disease, particularly in structures important for memory processes such as the hippocampus and parahippocampal areas 2.
- Interventions like exercise or antidepressant administration can enhance the expression of BDNF in normal and pathological conditions 2, 3, 4.
Therapeutic Uses of BDNF
- BDNF and its receptor TRKB are actively produced and trafficked in multiple regions in the adult brain, influencing neuronal activity, function, and survival throughout life 5.
- The diverse presence and activity of BDNF suggest a potential role for this molecule in the pathogenesis and treatment of both neurological and psychiatric disorders 5.
- Exercise interventions have been shown to increase plasma BDNF levels in individuals with neurodegenerative disorders, including multiple sclerosis, Parkinson's disease, and mild cognitive impairment 3.
BDNF Signaling in Depression and Antidepressant Action
- Neurotrophic factors, particularly BDNF, have been associated with depression and antidepressant drug action, with impaired BDNF signaling implicated in the pathophysiology of mood disorders 4.
- Increased expression and signaling of BDNF has been repeatedly implicated in the mechanisms of both typical and rapid-acting antidepressant drugs 4.
- BDNF is a critical regulator of various types of neuronal plasticities in the brain, and plasticity has increasingly been connected with antidepressant action 4.
BDNF in Brain Disorders and Neuroinflammation
- Patients with psychiatric and neurodegenerative disorders often have reduced BDNF concentrations in their blood and brain, which may be due to the chronic inflammatory state of the brain in certain disorders 6.
- Neuroinflammation can affect several BDNF-related signaling pathways, leading to the modulation of neuronal function and neurotoxicity observed in several brain pathologies 6.
- Understanding the interaction between BDNF and neuroinflammation in psychiatric and neurodegenerative diseases is crucial for the development of new strategies of treatment 6.