Nerve Growth Factor and Dementia: Acupuncture Effects

This is from the lab of Manni et al.  I’ve been following his work for awhile because of his work on allergies and acupuncture. My previous post discussed his approach to the topic, also involving Nerve Growth Factor (NGF.)
J Alzheimers Dis. 2013;33(3):767-73. doi: 10.3233/JAD-2012-121309. Brain cholinergic markers and Tau phosphorylation are altered in experimental type 1 diabetes: normalization by electroacupuncture. Rocco ML, Pristerà A, Pistillo L, et al Source

Cellular Biology and Neurobiology Institute, National Research Council (CNR), Rome, Italy.
Abstract
Diabetes often correlates with tau phosphorylation and the development of Alzheimer’s disease. Both are associated with brain cholinergic dysfunction that could benefit from nerve growth factor (NGF)-based therapies. Electroacupuncture (EA) improves brain NGF availability and action. Here we assessed the variations of NGF and tau phosphorylation in the cortex and hippocampus, as well as the expression of choline acetyltransferase in the basal forebrain following diabetes induction and EA in adult rats. We found that EA counteracts diabetes-associated tau hyperphosphorylation and decreases in NGF and choline acetyltransferase, suggesting a possible beneficial effect of EA on brain cholinergic system in diabetes.