Keywords
Community
Elderly
Alzheimer’s disease
Prevention and treatment
Submitted : 2025-05-06
Accepted : 2025-05-21
Published : 2025-06-05
Abstract
This article examines the progress in the prevention and treatment of Alzheimer’s disease among elderly individuals in communities from the perspective of traditional Chinese medicine (TCM). Through a systematic review of recent related studies, it analyzes new insights into the etiology and pathogenesis of Alzheimer’s disease within TCM and summarizes novel methods and achievements in the prevention and treatment of the disease using TCM. Based on the TCM principles of “preventive treatment” and holistic health, innovative intervention models with Chinese characteristics, such as the “brain-heart-kidney axis” and “brain-gut connection,” have shown new breakthroughs in improving cognitive function and slowing disease progression. The article also explores the benefits of shifting preventive and therapeutic measures to earlier stages, contributing to the establishment of an integrated community prevention model of “prevention-intervention-rehabilitation.”
References
Bai S, 2007, Understanding and Syndromal Differentiation of Alzheimer’s Disease in Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM). China Medical Guidelines, 5(12): 706–707. DOI: 10.3969/j.issn.1671-8194.2007.12.158.
Track NS, 1980, The Gastrointestinal Endocrine System. Canadian Medical Association Journal, 122(3): 287–292.
Goyal D, Ali SA, Singh RK, 2021, Emerging Role of Gut Microbiota in Modulation of Neuroinflammation and Neurodegeneration with Emphasis on Alzheimer’s Disease. Progress in Neuropsychopharmacology & Biological Psychiatry, 106: 110112. DOI: 10.1016/j.pnpbp.2021.110112.
Dong J, 2015, Cerebral Atrophy and Cognitive Impairment. Practical Geriatric Medicine, 29(4): 277–279. DOI: 10.3969/j.issn.1003-9198.2015.04.004.
Dong J, 2015, Cerebral Atrophy and Cognitive Impairment. Practical Geriatric Medicine, 29(4): 277–279. DOI: 10.3969/j.issn.1003-9198.2015.04.004.
Sun N, Mormino EC, Chen J, et al., 2019, Multi-modal Latent Factor Exploration of Atrophy, Cognitive and Tau Heterogeneity in Alzheimer’s Disease. NeuroImage, 201: 116043.
Jiao H, 2023, Systematic Evaluation of the Efficacy and Safety of Chinese Patent Medicines for Vascular Cognitive Impairment, thesis, Shaanxi University of Chinese Medicine, 2023.
Chongqing Institute of Chinese Materia Medica, 2023, A Traditional Chinese Medicine Compound for Enhancing Brain Function and Intelligence: Composition and Preparation Method. Patent No. CN202211494430.4.
Liu S, Miao L, Mou L, et al., 2019, Quality Standard Research of Jiannao Yishen Pills. China Medical Herald, 16(1): 24–27, 32.
Zhang X, Yin J, Ji Y, et al., 2023, Combined Effects of Xingnao Guanchang Liquid and Jianpi Yizhi Capsules on TrkB Expression, Motor Function, and Notch1 Signaling in Stroke-induced Rats. Chinese Journal of Gerontology, 43(14): 3511–3515. DOI: 10.3969/j.issn.1005-9202.2023.14.045.
Chen W, Hu L, Lin Y, 2021, Randomized, Double-Blind, Parallel-Controlled, Multicenter Clinical Study of Tianma Xingnao Capsules in Patients with Mild-to-Moderate Vascular Dementia (Kidney-Yin Deficiency, Liver-Wind Disturbance Pattern). Journal of Anhui University of Chinese Medicine, 40(1): 30–34. DOI: 10.3969/j.issn.2095-7246.2021.01.009.
Zhang R, Wang M, Chen H, 2017, Clinical Observation of Haima Yizhi San Combined with Acupuncture in 48 Cases of Vascular Dementia. New Chinese Medicine, 49(12): 142–145. DOI: 10.13457/j.cnki.jncm.2017.12.047.
Wang H, Zhang X, Zhang X, 2024, Study on Compound Congrong Yizhi Capsules for Mild-to-Moderate Vascular Dementia. Jilin Journal of Chinese Medicine, 44(9): 1055–1059. DOI: 10.13463/j.cnki.jlzyy.2024.09.015.
Zhang J, 2022, A Study on the Effects of Houpu on Functional Dyspepsia Rats and Its Metabolic Markers via the Gut-Brain Axis, thesis, China Academy of Chinese Medical Sciences, 2022.
Chen Q, Yu L, Zhao W, et al., 2021, Study on the Effects of Farzhi Extract on Intestinal Microbiota in Depressive Rats. Chinese Materia Medica, 52(8): 2313–2323. DOI: 10.7501/j.issn.0253-2670.2021.08.014.
Xue J, Wan G, Li J, et al., 2023, Mechanistic Study of Gan Song on Motor Dysfunction and Parkinson’s Disease Pathogenesis via the Gut-Brain Axis. Chinese Materia Medica, 54(9): 2822–2831. DOI: 10.7501/j.issn.0253-2670.2023.09.015.
Zhang Y, Yu X, Lu F, et al., 2024, Combined Effects of Sodium Glutamate Capsules and Donepezil on Cognition and Gut Microbiota in Mild-to-Moderate Alzheimer’s Disease. Modern Biomedical Progress, 24(20): 3870–3872. DOI: 10.13241/j.cnki.pmb.2024.20.016.
Wan F, Zhu P, 2023, Exploring Acupuncture’s Role in Modulating Gut Microbiota for Alzheimer’s Disease Prevention via the Brain-Gut Axis. Hebei Journal of Traditional Chinese Medicine, 38(3): 29–34.
Yuan F, Hong X, Duan Y, et al., 2021, Effects of Electroacupuncture at ST36 on Pancreatic and Hippocampal Tau Phosphorylation in Diabetic Rats. Acupuncture Research, 46(11): 901–906, 947. DOI: 10.13702/j.1000-0607.200921.
Yu G, Yin R, Guan Y, et al., 2024, Simulated Transcranial Scalp Acupuncture Manipulation on Learning-Memory and Cerebral Microcirculation in Vascular Dementia Rats. Acupuncture Research, 49(9): 917–923. DOI: 10.13702/j.1000-0607.20230474.
Jiang S, Zheng M, Wang Z, et al., 2024, Exploring Abdominal Acupuncture Therapy for Dementia Based on the “Heaven-Earth-Human” Multilayer Regulation Theory. Chinese Health Preservation Journal, 42(3): 77–81.
Ben D, Liu Q, Chen Y, et al., 2016, Clinical Observation of Electroacupuncture at ST36 and Fenglong for Senile Dementia. Acupuncture and Moxibustion Medicine, 14(6): 386–390.
Chen D, Zhang H, Xie J, et al., 2022, Effects of Electroacupuncture on Intestinal Microbiota and Serum IL-1β/IL-18 in Vascular Dementia Rats. Acupuncture Research, 47(3): 216–223.
Hong M, Li X, Hu W, 2023, Combined Effects of Music Therapy and Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation on Cognitive Function and Activities of Daily Living in Stroke Patients with Cognitive Impairment. Chinese Journal of Rehabilitation Medicine, 38(12): 1745–1748. DOI: 10.3969/j.issn.1001-1242.2023.12.019.
Muddasani SR, 2023, Cost-effective Treatment of Alzheimer’s Disease: Music Therapy. Medical Forum, 5(22): 3–5.DOI: 10.12417/2705-098X.23.22.002.
Liu B, Ma N, Shi J, et al., 2020, Applications of Aromatherapy in Cognitive Disorder Management. Life Chemistry, 40(7): 1079–1085. DOI: 10.13488/j.smhx.20190446.
He J, Liu Y, Shi Y, et al., 2023, Non-pharmacological Therapies for Alzheimer’s Disease: Advances in Research on the Entorhinal Cortex. Chinese Journal of Traditional Chinese Medicine, 38(10): 4847–4850.
Duan R, Lin L, 2023, Meta-analysis of Aromatherapy on Agitation Behavior in Elderly Patients with Dementia. Modern Medicine, 51(5): 643–648.