Exploration of acupuncture therapy in the treatment of MCI patients with the ApoE ε4 gene based on the brain-gut axis theory

• Published in: BMC complementary and alternative medicine 2023-07, Vol.23 (1), p.227-227, Article 227
• Main Authors: Jin, Yuanyuan, Chen, Jin, Chai, Qichen, Zhu, Jianfang, Jin, Xiaoqing
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: 16S rRNA sequencing; Activities of daily living; Acupuncture; Acupuncture therapy; Adhesives; Alzheimer's disease; Apolipoprotein E; Apolipoprotein E gene polymorphism; Blindness; Brain research; Cognitive ability; Community composition; Dementia; Digestive system; Exercise; Feces; Gastrointestinal tract; Gene polymorphism; Gut microbiota; Intestinal microflora; Intestine; Microbiomes; Microbiota; Microorganisms; Mild cognitive impairment; Nervous system; Neurodegenerative diseases; Pathogenesis; Patients; Physical fitness; Polymorphism; Rehabilitation; Risk factors; rRNA; Study Protocol
• ISSN: 2662-7671; 2662-7671; 1472-6882
• DOI: 10.1186/s12906-023-04060-2

Mild cognitive impairment (MCI) is the predementia phase of Alzheimer's disease (AD). The intestinal microbiome is altered in MCI and AD, and apolipoprotein E (ApoE) ε4 gene polymorphism is a risk factor for the progression of MCI to AD. This study aims to investigate the improvement in cognitive function of MCI patients with and without ApoE ε4 due to acupuncture and the changes in gut microbiota community composition and abundance in MCI. This randomized assessor-blind controlled study will enrol MCI patients with and without the ApoE ε4 gene (n = 60/60). Sixty subjects with the ApoE ε4 gene and 60 subjects without the ApoE ε4 gene will be randomly allocated into treatment and control groups in a 1:1 ratio. Intestinal microbiome profiles will be evaluated by 16 S rRNA sequencing of faecal samples and compared between the groups. Acupuncture is an effective method to improve cognitive function in MCI. This study will provide data on the relationship between the gut microbiota and the effectiveness of acupuncture in patients with MCI from a new angle. This study will also provide data on the relationship between the gut microbiota and an AD susceptibility gene by integrating microbiologic and molecular approaches. www.chictr.org.cn , ID: ChiCTR2100043017, recorded on 4 February 2021.