Loading your page…
Neuropsychiatric Disease and Treatment
By Hong Liu, Jiapeng Wang, Qinyuan Yang and 6 others.
To summarize the regulatory network linking microglia, brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) signaling, and hippocampal neurogenesis, and to clarify the potential antidepressant mechanisms of electroacupuncture.
Ward brings these articles into the same app as your cards and questions. One free account for Ward, Suture, Osler and Prognia.
We systematically reviewed and integrated recent findings from preclinical and clinical studies regarding microglial activation, BDNF/tropomyosin receptor kinase B (TrkB) signaling, hippocampal neurogenesis, and electroacupuncture intervention in depressive disorders, retrieved from PubMed, Web of Science, and CNKI databases up to June 2026.
Depression is closely associated with neuroinflammation, impaired neuroplasticity, and disrupted hippocampal neurogenesis. Aberrant microglial activation may inhibit hippocampal neurogenesis by releasing pro-inflammatory cytokines, excessively engulfing synapses, and disturbing the neural microenvironment. These pathological changes interact with dysregulated BDNF/TrkB signaling and jointly contribute to depressive phenotypes. Electroacupuncture may exert antidepressant effects by modulating microglial phenotypic transformation, suppressing pro-inflammatory mediator release, and upregulating BDNF/TrkB signaling and its downstream pathways.
Electroacupuncture may improve depression through coordinated regulation of microglia-mediated neuroinflammation and BDNF-related neuroplasticity. This mechanism provides a scientific basis for further mechanistic research and clinical application of acupuncture in depression. Keywords: depression, electroacupuncture, microglia, BDNF, hippocampal neurogenesis
Published in Neuropsychiatric Disease and Treatment. The abstract is shown as published and remains the work of its authors; read the full article at the source.
Prognia lists this article for reference and education. It is not medical advice. Always read the original and follow current guidelines and local protocols before acting on it.
