Establishment of animal models and behavioral studies for autism spectrum disorders.

In recent years, the incidence of autism spectrum disorder (ASD) has increased, but the etiology and pathogenesis remain unclear. In this narrative review, we review and systematically summarize the methods used to construct animal models to study ASD and the related behavioral studies based on recent literature. Utilization of various ASD animal models can complement research on the etiology, pathogenesis, and core behaviors of ASD, providing information and a foundation for further basic research and clinical treatment of ASD.

Effects of scalp acupuncture combined with repetitive transcranial magnetic stimulation on post-stroke cognitive impairment at different time intervals.

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the therapeutic efficacy of scalp acupuncture combined with repetitive transcranial magnetic stimulation (rTMS) for post-stroke cognitive impairment at different time intervals. METHOD: This retrospective cohort study divided patients into two groups according to the timing of the scalp acupuncture combined with rTMS intervention. Group A received scalp acupuncture combined with rTMS at 1 month post-stroke and routine basic treatment and cognitive function training at two months post-stroke. Group B received routine basic treatment and cognitive function training at 1 month post-stroke and scalp acupuncture combined with rTMS at 2 months post-stroke. Both groups underwent cognitive assessment using the Montreal Cognitive Assessment (MoCA) before treatment and at the ends of the first and second months post-stroke. RESULTS: The study population included 92 total stroke patients divided evenly into Groups A and B. Group A's total scores were higher at the end of the first month of treatment compared with baseline and remained stable at the end of the second month of treatment. By contrast, Group B's total score remained stable at the end of the first month of treatment compared with baseline and increased by the end of the second month. There were no significant differences in the scores at baseline or the end of the second month between the two groups. CONCLUSION: Scalp acupuncture combined with rTMS can effectively treat cognitive function in patients with post-stroke cognitive impairment, regardless of the timing of the intervention.

[A feasibility analysis on individualized acupuncture treatment of irritable bowel syndrome under help of genetic polymorphism technique].

Along with the application of genetic polymorphism techniques to individualized treatment of clinical disorders, the screening of polymorphisms markers of serotonin (5-HT) transporter (SERT) is a hot-spot of researches on irritable bowel syndrome (IBS). In the present paper, the authors introduce 1) optimized schemes of diagnosis and treatment of IBS on the basis of syndrome-differentiation for acupuncture in combination with Chinese herbal medicines, and application of 5-HT transporter polymorphism, 2) application of genetic polymorphism to researches on IBS, and 3) feasibility of genetic polymorphism techniques for guiding individualized treatment of IBS. Up to now, serotonin transporter length polymorphic region (5-HTTLPR), serotonin transporter intron 2 variable number of tandem repeat (Stin 2 VNTR) and single nucleotide polymorphism rs 25531 in the long allele of the 5-HTTLPR have been identified. On the basis of the treatment of IBS, we need establishing a set of guide lines for the individualized acupuncture treatment. The genotyping methods for genetic polymorphism should be widely used in this research field. 5-HT TLPR/ Stin 2 VNTR/rs 25531 polymorphisms would have a bright future in the field of IBS research and treatment.

[Effects and efficacy observation of acupuncture on serum 5-HT in patients with diarrhea-predominant irritable bowel syndrome].

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the clinical efficacy of acupuncture for treatment of diarrhea-predominant irritable bowel syndrome and discuss its action mechanism. METHODS: Fifty-seven cases were randomly divided into two groups. The acupuncture group (29 cases) was treated with acupuncture at Taichong (LR 3), Zusanli (ST 36) and Sanyinjiao (SP 6) etc., once a day and 5 times per week. The medication group (28 cases) was treated with oral administration of pinaverium (50 mg each time, 3 times a day) and live combined bifidobacterium and lactobacillus tablet (4 tablets each time, 3 times a day). Four weeks were taken as a treatment course in both groups. Before and after treatment ELISA method was applied to measure the level of serum 5-HT of the patients in two groups. The scores of clinical symptoms were observed before treatment, after one and four weeks of treatment and 3 months after treatment, respectively. RESULTS: The level of serum 5-HT was significantly reduced in the acupuncture group and medication group (P < 0.01, P < 0.05), which had no statistical difference between two groups (P > 0.05). Compared with the medication group, the scores of clinical symptoms were obviously improved in the acupuncture group after one and four weeks of treatment and 3 months after treatment (P < 0.01, P < 0.05). The total effective rate was 89.66% (26/29) in the acupuncture group, which was superior to 67.85% (19/28) in the medication group (P < 0.05). CONCLUSION: The efficacy of acupuncture is superior to that of medicine in the treatment of diarrhea-predominant irritable bowel syndrome. The acupuncture treatment could reduce the visceral sensitivity, improve the intestinal motility and regulate the imbalance of brain-intestine interactive function.