Evaluating acupuncture for Alzheimer's treatment in different genetic groups

Is this trial a fit for you?

A plain-English reading of the study's rules. Only the study team can confirm whether you qualify.

What this trial studies

This clinical trial aims to assess the effectiveness of acupuncture in treating mild-to-moderate Alzheimer's disease, specifically comparing outcomes between APOE e4 carriers and non-carriers. Participants will receive either acupuncture or sham acupuncture three times a week for 12 weeks, alongside donepezil, with follow-up assessments over a year. The study will measure cognitive improvements using the ADAS-cog score and will also analyze plasma and neuroimaging biomarkers for a comprehensive evaluation of treatment effects.

Why it matters

Who can join: the full rules

Inclusion Criteria:

* Aged between 50-85 years
* Diagnosed by the criteria of Neurological Communicative Disorders and Stroke and the Alzheimer Disease and Related Disorders Association (NINCDS-ADRDA)
* Cognitive impairment based on the scores of the Chinese version of the Mini Mental State Examination (MMSE) (patients with mild to moderate Alzheimers disease, 11≤primary school degree≤22, 11≤junior high school degree or above≤26
* Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) confirmation of atrophy of the hippocampus or the medial temporal lobe volume, MRI manifestation of high possibility of Alzheimer Disease
* The Medial Temporal Lobe Atrophy Rating Scale (MTA-scale) score (≥2 for those under 75 years, and ≥3 for those over 75 years)
* Voluntarily joining this study with informed consents

Exclusion Criteria:

* Cognitive impairment caused by other factors (e.g. vascular dementia, dementia with Lewy bodies, frontotemporal dementia, hormone or metabolic abnormalities, hypothyroidism, folic acid or vitamin B12 deficiency, delirium or other mental and emotional disorders (such as schizophrenia and depression))
* A serious heart condition, hepatic disease, renal system disease, hematopoietic system disease, or whole-body malnutrition
* Aphasia, disturbance of consciousness, or failure to cooperate with the related examinations due to physical disability
* Contraindications to undergoing an MRI scan such as claustrophobia or pacemaker implantation.
* Anticoagulant treatments such as warfarin or heparin
* Use of pacemakers or receiving acupuncture in the past 2 weeks

Where it's running

• Longhua Hospital, Shanghai University of Traditional Chinese Medicine
  Shanghai, China Recruiting

Study contacts

• Study coordinator: Yijun Zhan
• Email: jenniferzhan_lhzj@163.com
• Phone: +8618917699167

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How to take part

1. Review the eligibility criteria above with your treating physician.
2. Check the official listing on ClinicalTrials.gov for the latest contact details and recruitment status.
3. Contact the study coordinator or principal investigator to ask for pre-screening. Pre-screening is free and never obligates you to enroll.