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Chen ZK, Liu YY, Zhou JC, Chen GH, Liu CF, Qu WM, Huang ZL. Insomnia-related rodent models in drug discovery. Acta Pharmacol Sin 2024; 45:1777-1792. [PMID: 38671193 PMCID: PMC11335876 DOI: 10.1038/s41401-024-01269-w] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/09/2023] [Accepted: 03/24/2024] [Indexed: 04/28/2024] Open
Abstract
Despite the widespread prevalence and important medical impact of insomnia, effective agents with few side effects are lacking in clinics. This is most likely due to relatively poor understanding of the etiology and pathophysiology of insomnia, and the lack of appropriate animal models for screening new compounds. As the main homeostatic, circadian, and neurochemical modulations of sleep remain essentially similar between humans and rodents, rodent models are often used to elucidate the mechanisms of insomnia and to develop novel therapeutic targets. In this article, we focus on several rodent models of insomnia induced by stress, diseases, drugs, disruption of the circadian clock, and other means such as genetic manipulation of specific neuronal activity, respectively, which could be used to screen for novel hypnotics. Moreover, important advantages and constraints of some animal models are discussed. Finally, this review highlights that the rodent models of insomnia may play a crucial role in novel drug development to optimize the management of insomnia.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ze-Ka Chen
- Department of Pharmacology, School of Basic Medical Sciences; State Key Laboratory of Medical Neurobiology, Institutes of Brain Science and Collaborative Innovation Center for Brain Science; Joint International Research Laboratory of Sleep; and Department of Anesthesiology, Zhongshan Hospital, Fudan University, Shanghai, 200032, China
- Department of Pharmacology, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, NC, 27599, USA
| | - Yuan-Yuan Liu
- Department of Pharmacology, School of Basic Medical Sciences; State Key Laboratory of Medical Neurobiology, Institutes of Brain Science and Collaborative Innovation Center for Brain Science; Joint International Research Laboratory of Sleep; and Department of Anesthesiology, Zhongshan Hospital, Fudan University, Shanghai, 200032, China
| | - Ji-Chuan Zhou
- Department of Pharmacology, School of Basic Medical Sciences; State Key Laboratory of Medical Neurobiology, Institutes of Brain Science and Collaborative Innovation Center for Brain Science; Joint International Research Laboratory of Sleep; and Department of Anesthesiology, Zhongshan Hospital, Fudan University, Shanghai, 200032, China
| | - Gui-Hai Chen
- Department of Neurology (Sleep Disorders), the Affiliated Chaohu Hospital of Anhui Medical University, Hefei, 238000, China
| | - Chun-Feng Liu
- Department of Neurology and Clinical Research Center of Neurological Disease, The Second Affiliated Hospital of Soochow University, Suzhou, 215004, China.
| | - Wei-Min Qu
- Department of Pharmacology, School of Basic Medical Sciences; State Key Laboratory of Medical Neurobiology, Institutes of Brain Science and Collaborative Innovation Center for Brain Science; Joint International Research Laboratory of Sleep; and Department of Anesthesiology, Zhongshan Hospital, Fudan University, Shanghai, 200032, China.
| | - Zhi-Li Huang
- Department of Pharmacology, School of Basic Medical Sciences; State Key Laboratory of Medical Neurobiology, Institutes of Brain Science and Collaborative Innovation Center for Brain Science; Joint International Research Laboratory of Sleep; and Department of Anesthesiology, Zhongshan Hospital, Fudan University, Shanghai, 200032, China.
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Lu L, Chen C, Chen Y, Dong Y, Chen R, Wei X, Tao C, Li C, Wang Y, Fan B, Tang X, Xu S, He Z, Mo G, Liu Y, Gu H, Li X, Cao F, Xu H, Zhang Y, Li G, Liu X, Zeng J, Tang C, Xu N. Effect of Acupuncture for Methadone Reduction : A Randomized Clinical Trial. Ann Intern Med 2024; 177:1039-1047. [PMID: 38976882 DOI: 10.7326/m23-2721] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 07/10/2024] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Methadone maintenance treatment (MMT) is effective for managing opioid use disorder, but adverse effects mean that optimal therapy occurs with the lowest dose that controls opioid craving. OBJECTIVE To assess the efficacy of acupuncture versus sham acupuncture on methadone dose reduction. DESIGN Multicenter, 2-group, randomized, sham-controlled trial. (Chinese Clinical Trial Registry: ChiCTR2200058123). SETTING 6 MMT clinics in China. PARTICIPANTS Adults aged 65 years or younger with opioid use disorder who attended clinic daily and had been using MMT for at least 6 weeks. INTERVENTION Acupuncture or sham acupuncture 3 times a week for 8 weeks. MEASUREMENTS The 2 primary outcomes were the proportion of participants who achieved a reduction in methadone dose of 20% or more compared with baseline and opioid craving, which was measured by the change from baseline on a 100-mm visual analogue scale (VAS). RESULTS Of 118 eligible participants, 60 were randomly assigned to acupuncture and 58 were randomly assigned to sham acupuncture (2 did not receive acupuncture). At week 8, more patients reduced their methadone dose 20% or more with acupuncture than with sham acupuncture (37 [62%] vs. 16 [29%]; risk difference, 32% [97.5% CI, 13% to 52%]; P < 0.001). In addition, acupuncture was more effective in decreasing opioid craving than sham acupuncture with a mean difference of -11.7 mm VAS (CI, -18.7 to -4.8 mm; P < 0.001). No serious adverse events occurred. There were no notable differences between study groups when participants were asked which type of acupuncture they received. LIMITATION Fixed acupuncture protocol limited personalization and only 12 weeks of follow-up after stopping acupuncture. CONCLUSION Eight weeks of acupuncture were superior to sham acupuncture in reducing methadone dose and decreasing opioid craving. PRIMARY FUNDING SOURCE National Natural Science Foundation of China.
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Affiliation(s)
- Liming Lu
- Clinical Research and Big Data Laboratory, South China Research Center for Acupuncture and Moxibustion, Medical College of Acu-Moxi and Rehabilitation, Guangzhou University of Chinese Medicine, Guangzhou, China (L.L., Y.C., Y.D., C.Tao, C.L., Y.W., B.F.)
| | - Chen Chen
- Department of Chinese Medicine, Jiangsu Vocational College of Medicine, Yancheng, and Clinical Research and Big Data Laboratory, South China Research Center for Acupuncture and Moxibustion, Medical College of Acu-Moxi and Rehabilitation, Guangzhou University of Chinese Medicine, Guangzhou, China (C.C.)
| | - Yiming Chen
- Clinical Research and Big Data Laboratory, South China Research Center for Acupuncture and Moxibustion, Medical College of Acu-Moxi and Rehabilitation, Guangzhou University of Chinese Medicine, Guangzhou, China (L.L., Y.C., Y.D., C.Tao, C.L., Y.W., B.F.)
| | - Yu Dong
- Clinical Research and Big Data Laboratory, South China Research Center for Acupuncture and Moxibustion, Medical College of Acu-Moxi and Rehabilitation, Guangzhou University of Chinese Medicine, Guangzhou, China (L.L., Y.C., Y.D., C.Tao, C.L., Y.W., B.F.)
| | - Rouhao Chen
- Department of Audit Section, Guangdong Provincial Hospital of Chinese Medicine Zhuhai, Zhuhai, China (R.C.)
| | - Xiaojing Wei
- Zhongshan Hospital of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Zhongshan, China (X.W.)
| | - Chenyang Tao
- Clinical Research and Big Data Laboratory, South China Research Center for Acupuncture and Moxibustion, Medical College of Acu-Moxi and Rehabilitation, Guangzhou University of Chinese Medicine, Guangzhou, China (L.L., Y.C., Y.D., C.Tao, C.L., Y.W., B.F.)
| | - Cui Li
- Clinical Research and Big Data Laboratory, South China Research Center for Acupuncture and Moxibustion, Medical College of Acu-Moxi and Rehabilitation, Guangzhou University of Chinese Medicine, Guangzhou, China (L.L., Y.C., Y.D., C.Tao, C.L., Y.W., B.F.)
| | - Yuting Wang
- Clinical Research and Big Data Laboratory, South China Research Center for Acupuncture and Moxibustion, Medical College of Acu-Moxi and Rehabilitation, Guangzhou University of Chinese Medicine, Guangzhou, China (L.L., Y.C., Y.D., C.Tao, C.L., Y.W., B.F.)
| | - Baochao Fan
- Clinical Research and Big Data Laboratory, South China Research Center for Acupuncture and Moxibustion, Medical College of Acu-Moxi and Rehabilitation, Guangzhou University of Chinese Medicine, Guangzhou, China (L.L., Y.C., Y.D., C.Tao, C.L., Y.W., B.F.)
| | - Xiaorong Tang
- South China Research Center for Acupuncture and Moxibustion, Medical College of Acu-Moxi and Rehabilitation, Guangzhou University of Chinese Medicine, Guangzhou, China (X.T., C.Tang, N.X.)
| | - Shichao Xu
- The Affiliated Brain Hospital of Guangzhou Medical University (Guangzhou Huiai Hospital), Guangzhou, China (S.X.)
| | - Zhiqiu He
- The Third People's Hospital of Zhaoqing, Zhaoqing, China (Z.H., H.X.)
| | - Guodong Mo
- Zhongshan Second People's Hospital, Zhongshan, China (G.M.)
| | - Yiliang Liu
- The Third People's Hospital of Foshan, Foshan, China (Y.L.)
| | - Hong Gu
- Shunde Wu Zhong Pei Hospital, Foshan, China (H.G., X.Li)
| | - Xiang Li
- Shunde Wu Zhong Pei Hospital, Foshan, China (H.G., X.Li)
| | - Fang Cao
- Guangzhou Baiyun District Maternal and Child Health Hospital, Guangzhou, China (F.C.)
| | - Hongxia Xu
- The Third People's Hospital of Zhaoqing, Zhaoqing, China (Z.H., H.X.)
| | - Yuqing Zhang
- Department of Health Research Methods, Evidence, and Impact, McMaster University, Hamilton, Ontario, Canada, and CEBIM (Center for Evidence Based Integrative Medicine)-Clarity Collaboration, Guang'anmen Hospital, China Academy of Chinese Medical Sciences, Beijing, China (Y.Z.)
| | - Guowei Li
- Center for Clinical Epidemiology and Methodology (CCEM), Guangdong Second Provincial General Hospital, Guangzhou, China (G.L.)
| | - Xinxia Liu
- Department of Psychiatry and the Research Laboratory, The Third People's Hospital of Zhongshan, Zhongshan, China (X.Liu)
| | - Jingchun Zeng
- Department of Acupuncture, First Affiliated Hospital of Guangzhou University of Chinese Medicine, Guangzhou, China (J.Z.)
| | - Chunzhi Tang
- South China Research Center for Acupuncture and Moxibustion, Medical College of Acu-Moxi and Rehabilitation, Guangzhou University of Chinese Medicine, Guangzhou, China (X.T., C.Tang, N.X.)
| | - Nenggui Xu
- South China Research Center for Acupuncture and Moxibustion, Medical College of Acu-Moxi and Rehabilitation, Guangzhou University of Chinese Medicine, Guangzhou, China (X.T., C.Tang, N.X.)
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Lee S, Kim SN. The effects of acupuncture on sleep disorders and its underlying mechanism: a literature review of rodent studies. Front Neurosci 2023; 17:1243029. [PMID: 37614343 PMCID: PMC10442542 DOI: 10.3389/fnins.2023.1243029] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/20/2023] [Accepted: 07/28/2023] [Indexed: 08/25/2023] Open
Abstract
Sleep is a set of physiological processes mainly under neurobiological regulation that affect several physiological systems, and sleep disorders are a condition where normal sleep patterns are disturbed. Clinical studies have confirmed the effects of acupuncture on sleep duration and quality. Although many studies have explored the therapeutic effects of acupuncture on sleep disorders, the mechanisms are unclear. We investigated the mechanism of acupuncture efficacy in a rodent model of sleep disorders and evaluated the therapeutic effects of acupuncture treatment. According to our results, sleep disorders are associated with several brain regions and neurotransmitters. Furthermore, this review showed that neurological processes, such as catecholamine and BDNF signaling pathways, can be regulated by acupuncture, which is a crucial aspect of the acupuncture mechanism in sleep disorders.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Seung-Nam Kim
- College of Korean Medicine, Dongguk University, Goyang, Republic of Korea
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Hu WL, Tsai MC, Kuo CE, Liu CT, Wu SY, Wu TC, Hung YC. Laser meridian massage decreased craving in men with opioid use disorder on methadone maintenance treatment. Biomed J 2021; 45:414-423. [PMID: 35595647 PMCID: PMC9250097 DOI: 10.1016/j.bj.2021.04.010] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/11/2020] [Revised: 03/21/2021] [Accepted: 04/27/2021] [Indexed: 12/15/2022] Open
Abstract
Background Methods Results Conclusion
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Yu KC, Wei HT, Chang SC, Huang KY, Hsu CH. The Efficacy of Combined Electroacupuncture and Auricular Pressure on Sleep Quality in Patients Receiving Methadone Maintenance Treatment. Am J Addict 2020; 30:156-163. [PMID: 33378108 DOI: 10.1111/ajad.13134] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/25/2020] [Revised: 11/08/2020] [Accepted: 11/25/2020] [Indexed: 01/23/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES Previous studies have revealed that the electroacupuncture or auricular-point pressure as a single treatment approach is beneficial for relieving insomniac symptoms among patients under methadone maintenance treatment (MMT). This study is designed to evaluate the clinical efficacy of combining two treatments. METHODS This study was a randomized, controlled, crossover trial. A total of 50 participants were recruited from the Linsen Chinese Medicine and Kunming Branches of Taipei City Hospital and randomly assigned to Groups A (25 participants) and B (25 participants). In Group A (electroacupuncture at the Hegu point (LI4) and Zusanli point (ST36) and auricular-point pressure on the Shenmen point) and Group B (only auricular-point), the interventions were implemented biweekly for 4 weeks. After a 1-week washout period, a crossover of the groups was performed. Sleep quality, according to the Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index (PSQI), and daily attendance rate of MMT were evaluated. RESULTS Combined therapy significantly improved sleep quality, especially in the PSQI subscales of subjective sleep quality (60.91% vs 20.93%, P < 0.05) and sleep latency (42.59% vs 11.28%, P < 0.05). A significantly higher daily attendance rate was noted in combined therapy than single therapy (87% ± 2% vs 82% ± 2%, P < 0.001). DISCUSSION AND CONCLUSIONS The combination of the electroacupuncture with auricular-point pressure demonstrated high efficacy for improving sleep quality and increasing MMT adherence compared with single therapy of auricular-point pressure. SCIENTIFIC SIGNIFICANCE Combined therapy of the electroacupuncture and auricular-point pressing should be introduced as a routine, facilitating treatment for patients under methadone maintenance. (Am J Addict 2020;00:00-00).
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Affiliation(s)
- Kai-Chiang Yu
- Department of Chinese Medicine, Taipei City Hospital, Linsen, Chinese Medicine, Kunming Branch, Taipei, Taiwan.,Institute of Traditional Medicine, National Yang-Ming University, Taipei, Taiwan
| | - Han-Ting Wei
- Department of Psychiatry, Taipei City Hospital, Linsen, Chinese Medicine, Kunming Branch, Taipei, Taiwan
| | - Shang-Chih Chang
- Department of Chinese Medicine, Taipei City Hospital, Linsen, Chinese Medicine, Kunming Branch, Taipei, Taiwan.,Institute of Traditional Medicine, National Yang-Ming University, Taipei, Taiwan
| | - Kuei-Yu Huang
- Institute of Traditional Medicine, National Yang-Ming University, Taipei, Taiwan.,Department of Chinese Medicine, Shin Kong Wu Ho-Su Hospital, Taipei, Taiwan
| | - Chung-Hua Hsu
- Department of Chinese Medicine, Taipei City Hospital, Linsen, Chinese Medicine, Kunming Branch, Taipei, Taiwan.,Institute of Traditional Medicine, National Yang-Ming University, Taipei, Taiwan
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Efficacy of Electroacupuncture Combined with Auricular Point Pressing in Improving Mental Well-Being among Individuals with Heroin Use Disorder: A Randomized Controlled Crossover Trial and Pilot Study. EVIDENCE-BASED COMPLEMENTARY AND ALTERNATIVE MEDICINE 2020; 2020:3748056. [PMID: 33062008 PMCID: PMC7537688 DOI: 10.1155/2020/3748056] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/09/2020] [Accepted: 08/05/2020] [Indexed: 11/24/2022]
Abstract
Objective To evaluate the clinical efficacy of combining electroacupuncture with auricular point pressing in improving quality of life of individuals with heroin use disorder undergoing methadone maintenance treatment. Design A randomized controlled crossover trial. Subjects 50 participants were recruited from Taipei City Hospital, Linsen Chinese Medicine and Kunming branches, and randomly allocated to treatment groups. Method The 36-Item Short Form Health Survey (SF-36) was used. Group A received electroacupuncture at the Hegu (LI4) and Zusanli (ST36) and auricular point pressing on Ear Shenmen, and Group B received only auricular point pressing on Ear Shenmen biweekly for 4 weeks. After a 1-week washout period, crossover of the groups was performed. Results The SF-36 mental component scores of the combined treatment group improved relative to the single treatment group (11.09 vs. 10.33, p=0.023). Methadone dosage was reduced in both groups (combined therapy group: 8.58 ± 4.17/7.76 ± 4.11 (baseline/posttreatment) vs. single therapy group: 8.36 ± 4.20/8.30 ± .28, p=0.001). Conclusion Combined therapy of high-frequency electroacupuncture with auricular point pressing had better efficacy in enhancing quality of life, especially for mental well-being, and in gradually reducing methadone dosage.
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Efficacy and Safety of Electroacupuncture on Treating Depression Related Sleep Disorders: Study Protocol of a Randomized Controlled Trial. EVIDENCE-BASED COMPLEMENTARY AND ALTERNATIVE MEDICINE 2016; 2016:1069597. [PMID: 28119755 PMCID: PMC5227148 DOI: 10.1155/2016/1069597] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/25/2016] [Accepted: 11/29/2016] [Indexed: 12/20/2022]
Abstract
Background. Depression is frequently accompanied by sleep disturbances including insomnia. Insomnia may persist even after mood symptoms have been adequately treated. Acupuncture is considered to be beneficial to adjust the state of body and mind and restore the normal sleep-awake cycle. This trial is aimed at evaluating the efficacy and safety of electroacupuncture on treating insomnia in patients with depression. Methods. We describe a protocol for a randomized, single-blinded, sham controlled trial. Ninety eligible patients will be randomly assigned to one of 3 treatment groups: treatment group (acupuncture), control A group (superficial acupuncture at sham points), and control B group (sham acupuncture). All treatment will be given 3 times per week for 8 weeks. The primary outcome is the Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index (PSQI). The secondary outcomes are sleep parameters recorded in the Actigraphy, Hamilton Rating Scale for Depression (HAMD), and Self-Rating Depression Scale (SDS). All adverse effects will be accessed by the Treatment Emergent Symptom Scale (TESS). Outcomes will be evaluated at baseline, 4 weeks after treatment, 8 weeks after treatment, and 4 weeks of follow-up. Ethics. This trial has been approved by the Ethics Committee of Shanghai Municipal Hospital of Traditional Chinese Medicine (2015SHL-KY-21) and is registered with ChiCTR-IIR-16008058.
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Motlagh FE, Ibrahim F, Rashid RA, Seghatoleslam T, Habil H. Acupuncture therapy for drug addiction. Chin Med 2016; 11:16. [PMID: 27053944 PMCID: PMC4822281 DOI: 10.1186/s13020-016-0088-7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 26] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/12/2014] [Accepted: 03/29/2016] [Indexed: 02/06/2023] Open
Abstract
Acupuncture therapy has been used to treat substance abuse. This study aims to review experimental studies examining the effects of acupuncture on addiction. Research and review articles on acupuncture treatment of substance abuse published between January 2000 and September 2014 were searched using the databases ISI Web of Science Core Collection and EBSCO’s MEDLINE Complete. Clinical trial studies on the efficacy of acupuncture therapy for substance abuse were classified according to substance (cocaine, opioid, nicotine, and alcohol), and their treatment protocols, assessments, and findings were examined. A total of 119 studies were identified, of which 85 research articles addressed the efficacy of acupuncture for treating addiction. There were substantial variations in study protocols, particularly regarding treatment duration, frequency of electroacupuncture, duration of stimulation, and choice of acupoints. Contradictory results, intergroup differences, variation in sample sizes, and acupuncture placebo effects made it difficult to evaluate acupuncture effectiveness in drug addiction treatment. This review also identified a lack of rigorous study design, such as control of confounding variables by incorporating sham controls, sufficient sample sizes, reliable assessments, and adequately replicated experiments.
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Affiliation(s)
- Farid Esmaeili Motlagh
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, Faculty of Engineering, University of Malaya, 50603 Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia ; Centre for Innovation in Medical Engineering, Faculty of Engineering, University of Malaya, 50603 Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia ; Centre of Addiction Sciences, University of Malaya, 21st Floor, Wisma Research and Development, Jalan Pantai Baru, 59200 Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia
| | - Fatimah Ibrahim
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, Faculty of Engineering, University of Malaya, 50603 Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia ; Centre for Innovation in Medical Engineering, Faculty of Engineering, University of Malaya, 50603 Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia
| | - Rusdi Abd Rashid
- Centre of Addiction Sciences, University of Malaya, 21st Floor, Wisma Research and Development, Jalan Pantai Baru, 59200 Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia
| | - Tahereh Seghatoleslam
- Centre of Addiction Sciences, University of Malaya, 21st Floor, Wisma Research and Development, Jalan Pantai Baru, 59200 Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia ; Shahid Beheshti University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
| | - Hussain Habil
- Centre of Addiction Sciences, University of Malaya, 21st Floor, Wisma Research and Development, Jalan Pantai Baru, 59200 Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia
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Abstract
Insomnia appears to be a fast-spreading problem in the modern days, which not only affects people's living quality but also impairs people's working efficiency even causing disability. Pharmacological treatment is effective but frequently with significant side effects. Acupuncture is traditionally used for the treatment of insomnia in China and now is widely accepted in the Western countries. Many research works on clinical applications of acupuncture in the treatment of insomnia and the potential mechanisms underlying the acupuncture treatment have been reported. This chapter will try to provide a systematic review on the research findings. A number of clinical studies, mainly randomized controlled clinical trials, have shown positive effects in acupuncture treatment of insomnia. Some of the studies demonstrated that acupuncture treatment appeared to be better than conventional pharmacological drugs in the improvement of insomnia. These encouraging findings are limited by the qualities problems of the methodology used in these clinical studies. The clinical efficacy of acupuncture appeared to be supported by evidence obtained from basic neuroendocrinological studies. A number of studies have demonstrated that acupuncture may modulate a wide range of neuroendocrinological factors following stimulation of acupoints. Evidence has suggested that the clinical efficacy of acupuncture in treatment of insomnia is potentially mediated by a variety of neurotransmitters including norepinephrine, melatonin, gamma-aminobutyric acid, and β-endorphin. However, due to the complexity, these findings are far from conclusive. More research is necessary. More rigors methodology and integrated approach to evaluate both clinical and basic research evidence are required for future studies.
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Abstract
This paper is the thirty-fourth consecutive installment of the annual review of research concerning the endogenous opioid system. It summarizes papers published during 2011 that studied the behavioral effects of molecular, pharmacological and genetic manipulation of opioid peptides, opioid receptors, opioid agonists and opioid antagonists. The particular topics that continue to be covered include the molecular-biochemical effects and neurochemical localization studies of endogenous opioids and their receptors related to behavior (Section 2), and the roles of these opioid peptides and receptors in pain and analgesia (Section 3); stress and social status (Section 4); tolerance and dependence (Section 5); learning and memory (Section 6); eating and drinking (Section 7); alcohol and drugs of abuse (Section 8); sexual activity and hormones, pregnancy, development and endocrinology (Section 9); mental illness and mood (Section 10); seizures and neurologic disorders (Section 11); electrical-related activity and neurophysiology (Section 12); general activity and locomotion (Section 13); gastrointestinal, renal and hepatic functions (Section 14); cardiovascular responses (Section 15); respiration (Section 16); and immunological responses (Section 17).
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Affiliation(s)
- Richard J Bodnar
- Department of Psychology and Neuropsychology Doctoral Sub-Program, Queens College, City University of New York, Flushing, NY 11367, United States.
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