Acupuncture For Memory Loss

By Y.C. Chan, OMD, Dipl Ac

According to the Chinese Medical theory, memory loss is one of the hallmark signs of heart disharmony. However, memory loss can be caused by many factors.

Memory loss and confusion were once considered normal old age. When people suffer from serious memory problems their personality and behavior may suffer from dementia. Dementia symptoms include asking questions over and over again, lost of familiarity with places, direction, time and people. Many medical conditions can cause symptoms similar to Alzheimer's disease.

Some seniors become lonely, bored with daily life, or consumed with worry and sadness they may be mistakenly diagnosed with dementia. Also older people face retirement, the death of a spouse and friends, and other changes, which can bring about emotional problems that can be eased by consulting with physicians, psychologists, social workers or counselors. It is important that they have connection with the right professionals. Also getting involved with certain community activities can improve mental health and memory.

In the middle of the 20th century, some psychologists thought that memory was a distinct function in the brain. Dr. Wilder Penfield was the first person to obtained evidence demonstrating localized cortical function and memory. He explored the cortical surfaces in many patients with electrical stimulation, and he found that removing certain portions of cerebral lobes resulted in specific types of amnesia. His groundwork led to many studies and investigations of short- and long-term memory.

Acupuncture is possible to improve the short-term memory loss. A study published in October 2008 found that acupuncture stimulation could improve learning and memory, which was typically impaired in diabetic rats with cerebral ischemia. They believed that the positive results of the study warrant further investigation.

Although there is limited clinical research on the effect of acupuncture for memory loss, and Alzheimer's is considered non-curable, acupuncture has many aspects for future research.