The early loss of maternal may affect the vulnerability of the infant to neuropsychiatric disorders, such as anxiety, personality disorders and depression over its lifespan. Acupuncture has long been associated with a homeostatic (Yin/Yang), regulation, or calming effect. Acupuncture is also reported to possess the therapeutic effects for disorders such as an anxiety, depression and substance abuse in clinical and animal studies, so it is possible to use to treat childhood mental problems related to maternal separation or loss of maternal care. Acupuncture was performed on acupoint Shenmen (HT7), at the end of the transverse crease of the ulnar wrist. The needles were twisted at the speed of twice a second for 30 seconds, and removed immediately. The same manipulation was also applied to acupoint ST36, near the knee joint of hind limb, 2 mm lateral to the anterior tubercle of the tibia. 5-bromo-2′-deoxyuridine (BrdU) immunohistochemistry showed decrease of cell proliferation in the dentate gyrus of rat pups after maternal separation for 7 days from postnatal day 14. Interestingly, acupuncture treatment on HT7 resulted in a significant increase in the number of BrdU-positive cells in the same area. The increase of cells in ST36-ACU group did not clear. These findings indicate that acupuncture on acupoint HT7 affects new cell proliferation, and we propose that acupuncture may be useful in the treatment of maternal separation-related diseases.
Source: Korean J Physiol Pharmacol.2001 Dec;5(Suppl II):S93-S94
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