Academic Journal
Longitudinal Changes in Hippocampal-Default Mode Network Connectivity and Cognition During Electroacupuncture Intervention in Type 2 Diabetes-Associated Cognitive Decline: A Pilot Resting-State fMRI Study.
| Title: | Longitudinal Changes in Hippocampal-Default Mode Network Connectivity and Cognition During Electroacupuncture Intervention in Type 2 Diabetes-Associated Cognitive Decline: A Pilot Resting-State fMRI Study. |
|---|---|
| Authors: | Yao L; Institute of Acupuncture and Massage, Northeast Asian Institute of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Changchun University of Chinese Medicine, 130117 Changchun, Jilin, China., Li MY; Institute of Acupuncture and Massage, Northeast Asian Institute of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Changchun University of Chinese Medicine, 130117 Changchun, Jilin, China., Liu YZ; Acupuncture and Tuina Center, The Third Affiliated Clinical Hospital of Changchun University of Chinese Medicine, 130117 Changchun, Jilin, China., Cao JZ; College of nursing, Changchun University of Chinese Medicine, 130117 Changchun, Jilin, China., Lian Z; College of Acupuncture and Massage, Changchun University of Chinese Medicine, 130117 Changchun, Jilin, China., Zhu HN; College of Acupuncture and Massage, Changchun University of Chinese Medicine, 130117 Changchun, Jilin, China., Huang HP; College of Acupuncture and Massage, Changchun University of Chinese Medicine, 130117 Changchun, Jilin, China., Zhong Z; College of Acupuncture and Massage, Changchun University of Chinese Medicine, 130117 Changchun, Jilin, China., Wang HF; College of Acupuncture and Massage, Changchun University of Chinese Medicine, 130117 Changchun, Jilin, China. |
| Source: | Journal of integrative neuroscience [J Integr Neurosci] 2026 Sep 21; Vol. 25 (9), pp. 52929. |
| Publication Type: | Journal Article |
| Language: | English |
| Journal Info: | Publisher: IMR Press Country of Publication: Singapore NLM ID: 101156357 Publication Model: Print Cited Medium: Internet ISSN: 0219-6352 (Print) Linking ISSN: 02196352 NLM ISO Abbreviation: J Integr Neurosci Subsets: MEDLINE |
| Imprint Name(s): | Publication: 2021-: Singapore : IMR Press Original Publication: London : Imperial College Press, c2002- |
| MeSH Terms: | Diabetes Mellitus, Type 2*/complications , Diabetes Mellitus, Type 2*/physiopathology , Diabetes Mellitus, Type 2*/diagnostic imaging , Hippocampus*/diagnostic imaging , Hippocampus*/physiopathology , Default Mode Network*/diagnostic imaging , Default Mode Network*/physiopathology , Cognitive Dysfunction*/etiology , Cognitive Dysfunction*/physiopathology , Cognitive Dysfunction*/diagnostic imaging , Cognitive Dysfunction*/therapy , Nerve Net*/diagnostic imaging , Nerve Net*/physiopathology , Electroacupuncture* , Connectome*, Humans ; Pilot Projects ; Magnetic Resonance Imaging ; Female ; Male ; Longitudinal Studies ; Middle Aged ; Aged ; Cognitive Enhancement |
| Abstract: | Background: Type 2 diabetes mellitus-associated cognitive dysfunction (T2DACD) is strongly linked to disruption of cognition-supporting brain networks. Electroacupuncture (EA) has increasingly been examined as a nonpharmacological intervention targeting cognitive impairment; however, the longitudinal neurobiological patterns accompanying EA in T2DACD have not been fully characterized. In this exploratory pilot study, we evaluated alterations in resting-state functional connectivity (RSFC) across hippocampal subregions and default mode network (DMN) nodes in individuals with T2DACD. Methods: For this exploratory, open-label, non-randomized, uncontrolled pilot investigation, we enrolled 20 individuals with T2DACD and 26 healthy controls (HCs). Longitudinal analyses included 15 participants who had usable post-treatment data. T2DACD was defined according to clinical type 2 diabetes mellitus criteria, and a Montreal Cognitive Assessment (MoCA) score <26. Patients underwent an 8-week Adjust Zang-fu and Arouse Spirit electroacupuncture (AZASE) intervention. Cognitive, emotional, metabolic, and seed-based resting-state functional magnetic resonance imaging (rs-fMRI) outcomes were evaluated. Clinical longitudinal analyses were carried out according to protocol, whereas imaging analyses were limited to participants with usable scans after treatment. Results: At baseline, individuals with T2DACD showed lower MoCA scores than HCs and had poorer executive and working-memory outcomes. Among the 15 participants with complete longitudinal neuroimaging data, MoCA scores increased from 23.27 ± 1.71 to 26.07 ± 1.53 over the intervention period. Within-group alterations were observed for Flanker-conflict reaction time and accuracy, Stroop-conflict reaction time, 1-back reaction time, Self-Rating Anxiety Scale score, and Hamilton Depression Rating Scale score. Omnibus group analyses detected significant effects for the left anterior hippocampus-left angular gyrus connection and the left posterior hippocampus-right middle occipital gyrus connection. Post-treatment scans demonstrated reduced RSFC in several hippocampal-DMN and intra-DMN connections. The association between change in left anterior hippocampus-left angular gyrus RSFC and change in Stroop-conflict performance was no longer statistically significant after Bonferroni correction. For neuroimaging outcomes, cluster-level family-wise error (FWE) correction (p < 0.05) was applied to control for multiple comparisons; clinical outcomes are reported descriptively as hypothesis-generating findings. Conclusions: In this exploratory pilot study, we identified preliminary alterations in cognitive outcomes and hippocampal-DMN connections over an 8-week EA intervention in individuals with T2DACD. In view of the small sample size and the open-label, non-randomized, uncontrolled design, the findings should be interpreted as hypothesis-generating observations rather than definitive evidence of a specific causal treatment effect. Larger controlled studies will be needed to determine whether the observed neural and behavioral alterations are reproducible and clinically meaningful in practice. Clinical Trial Registration: No: ChiCTR2000040268, https://www.chictr.org.cn/hvshowproject.html?id=76145&v=1.3. (Copyright: © 2026 The Author(s). Published by IMR Press.) |
| Competing Interests: | The authors declare no conflicts of interest. |
| Grant Information: | 82074548 National Natural Science Foundation of China; YDZJ202401680ZYTS Natural Science Foundation of Jilin Province (Free exploration of general projects) |
| Contributed Indexing: | Keywords: cognitive dysfunction; default mode network; diabetes mellitus, type 2; electroacupuncture; hippocampus; magnetic resonance imaging |
| Entry Date(s): | Date Created: 20260930 Date Completed: 20260930 Latest Revision: 20260930 |
| Update Code: | 20260930 |
| DOI: | 10.31083/JIN52929 |
| PMID: | 42811891 |
| Database: | MEDLINE |
| FullText | Text: Availability: 0 CustomLinks: – Url: https://resolver.ebsco.com/c/fiv2js/result?sid=EBSCO:cmedm&genre=article&issn=02196352&ISBN=&volume=25&issue=9&date=20260921&spage=52929&pages=52929&title=Journal of integrative neuroscience&atitle=Longitudinal%20Changes%20in%20Hippocampal-Default%20Mode%20Network%20Connectivity%20and%20Cognition%20During%20Electroacupuncture%20Intervention%20in%20Type%202%20Diabetes-Associated%20Cognitive%20Decline%3A%20A%20Pilot%20Resting-State%20fMRI%20Study.&aulast=Yao%20L&id=DOI:10.31083/JIN52929 Name: Full Text Finder (for New FTF UI) (ns324271) Category: fullText Text: Full Text Finder MouseOverText: Full Text Finder |
|---|---|
| Header | DbId: cmedm DbLabel: MEDLINE An: 42811891 AccessLevel: 3 PubType: Academic Journal PubTypeId: academicJournal PreciseRelevancyScore: 0 |
| IllustrationInfo | |
| Items | – Name: Title Label: Title Group: Ti Data: Longitudinal Changes in Hippocampal-Default Mode Network Connectivity and Cognition During Electroacupuncture Intervention in Type 2 Diabetes-Associated Cognitive Decline: A Pilot Resting-State fMRI Study. – Name: Author Label: Authors Group: Au Data: <searchLink fieldCode="AU" term="%22Yao+L%22">Yao L</searchLink>; Institute of Acupuncture and Massage, Northeast Asian Institute of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Changchun University of Chinese Medicine, 130117 Changchun, Jilin, China.<br /><searchLink fieldCode="AU" term="%22Li+MY%22">Li MY</searchLink>; Institute of Acupuncture and Massage, Northeast Asian Institute of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Changchun University of Chinese Medicine, 130117 Changchun, Jilin, China.<br /><searchLink fieldCode="AU" term="%22Liu+YZ%22">Liu YZ</searchLink>; Acupuncture and Tuina Center, The Third Affiliated Clinical Hospital of Changchun University of Chinese Medicine, 130117 Changchun, Jilin, China.<br /><searchLink fieldCode="AU" term="%22Cao+JZ%22">Cao JZ</searchLink>; College of nursing, Changchun University of Chinese Medicine, 130117 Changchun, Jilin, China.<br /><searchLink fieldCode="AU" term="%22Lian+Z%22">Lian Z</searchLink>; College of Acupuncture and Massage, Changchun University of Chinese Medicine, 130117 Changchun, Jilin, China.<br /><searchLink fieldCode="AU" term="%22Zhu+HN%22">Zhu HN</searchLink>; College of Acupuncture and Massage, Changchun University of Chinese Medicine, 130117 Changchun, Jilin, China.<br /><searchLink fieldCode="AU" term="%22Huang+HP%22">Huang HP</searchLink>; College of Acupuncture and Massage, Changchun University of Chinese Medicine, 130117 Changchun, Jilin, China.<br /><searchLink fieldCode="AU" term="%22Zhong+Z%22">Zhong Z</searchLink>; College of Acupuncture and Massage, Changchun University of Chinese Medicine, 130117 Changchun, Jilin, China.<br /><searchLink fieldCode="AU" term="%22Wang+HF%22">Wang HF</searchLink>; College of Acupuncture and Massage, Changchun University of Chinese Medicine, 130117 Changchun, Jilin, China. – Name: TitleSource Label: Source Group: Src Data: <searchLink fieldCode="JN" term="%22101156357%22">Journal of integrative neuroscience</searchLink> [J Integr Neurosci] 2026 Sep 21; Vol. 25 (9), pp. 52929. – Name: TypePub Label: Publication Type Group: TypPub Data: Journal Article – Name: Language Label: Language Group: Lang Data: English – Name: TitleSource Label: Journal Info Group: Src Data: <i>Publisher: </i><searchLink fieldCode="PB" term="%22IMR+Press%22">IMR Press </searchLink><i>Country of Publication: </i>Singapore <i>NLM ID: </i>101156357 <i>Publication Model: </i>Print <i>Cited Medium: </i>Internet <i>ISSN: </i>0219-6352 (Print) <i>Linking ISSN: </i><searchLink fieldCode="IS" term="%2202196352%22">02196352 </searchLink><i>NLM ISO Abbreviation: </i>J Integr Neurosci <i>Subsets: </i>MEDLINE – Name: PublisherInfo Label: Imprint Name(s) Group: PubInfo Data: <i>Publication</i>: 2021-: Singapore : IMR Press<br /><i>Original Publication</i>: London : Imperial College Press, c2002- – Name: SubjectMESH Label: MeSH Terms Group: Su Data: <searchLink fieldCode="MM" term="%22Diabetes+Mellitus%2C+Type+2%22">Diabetes Mellitus, Type 2*</searchLink>/<searchLink fieldCode="MM" term="%22Diabetes+Mellitus%2C+Type+2+complications%22">complications</searchLink> <br /><searchLink fieldCode="MM" term="%22Diabetes+Mellitus%2C+Type+2%22">Diabetes Mellitus, Type 2*</searchLink>/<searchLink fieldCode="MM" term="%22Diabetes+Mellitus%2C+Type+2+physiopathology%22">physiopathology</searchLink> <br /><searchLink fieldCode="MM" term="%22Diabetes+Mellitus%2C+Type+2%22">Diabetes Mellitus, Type 2*</searchLink>/<searchLink fieldCode="MM" term="%22Diabetes+Mellitus%2C+Type+2+diagnostic+imaging%22">diagnostic imaging</searchLink> <br /><searchLink fieldCode="MM" term="%22Hippocampus%22">Hippocampus*</searchLink>/<searchLink fieldCode="MM" term="%22Hippocampus+diagnostic+imaging%22">diagnostic imaging</searchLink> <br /><searchLink fieldCode="MM" term="%22Hippocampus%22">Hippocampus*</searchLink>/<searchLink fieldCode="MM" term="%22Hippocampus+physiopathology%22">physiopathology</searchLink> <br /><searchLink fieldCode="MM" term="%22Default+Mode+Network%22">Default Mode Network*</searchLink>/<searchLink fieldCode="MM" term="%22Default+Mode+Network+diagnostic+imaging%22">diagnostic imaging</searchLink> <br /><searchLink fieldCode="MM" term="%22Default+Mode+Network%22">Default Mode Network*</searchLink>/<searchLink fieldCode="MM" term="%22Default+Mode+Network+physiopathology%22">physiopathology</searchLink> <br /><searchLink fieldCode="MM" term="%22Cognitive+Dysfunction%22">Cognitive Dysfunction*</searchLink>/<searchLink fieldCode="MM" term="%22Cognitive+Dysfunction+etiology%22">etiology</searchLink> <br /><searchLink fieldCode="MM" term="%22Cognitive+Dysfunction%22">Cognitive Dysfunction*</searchLink>/<searchLink fieldCode="MM" term="%22Cognitive+Dysfunction+physiopathology%22">physiopathology</searchLink> <br /><searchLink fieldCode="MM" term="%22Cognitive+Dysfunction%22">Cognitive Dysfunction*</searchLink>/<searchLink fieldCode="MM" term="%22Cognitive+Dysfunction+diagnostic+imaging%22">diagnostic imaging</searchLink> <br /><searchLink fieldCode="MM" term="%22Cognitive+Dysfunction%22">Cognitive Dysfunction*</searchLink>/<searchLink fieldCode="MM" term="%22Cognitive+Dysfunction+therapy%22">therapy</searchLink> <br /><searchLink fieldCode="MM" term="%22Nerve+Net%22">Nerve Net*</searchLink>/<searchLink fieldCode="MM" term="%22Nerve+Net+diagnostic+imaging%22">diagnostic imaging</searchLink> <br /><searchLink fieldCode="MM" term="%22Nerve+Net%22">Nerve Net*</searchLink>/<searchLink fieldCode="MM" term="%22Nerve+Net+physiopathology%22">physiopathology</searchLink> <br /><searchLink fieldCode="MM" term="%22Electroacupuncture%22">Electroacupuncture*</searchLink> <br /><searchLink fieldCode="MM" term="%22Connectome%22">Connectome*</searchLink><br /><searchLink fieldCode="MH" term="%22Humans%22">Humans</searchLink> ; <searchLink fieldCode="MH" term="%22Pilot+Projects%22">Pilot Projects</searchLink> ; <searchLink fieldCode="MH" term="%22Magnetic+Resonance+Imaging%22">Magnetic Resonance Imaging</searchLink> ; <searchLink fieldCode="MH" term="%22Female%22">Female</searchLink> ; <searchLink fieldCode="MH" term="%22Male%22">Male</searchLink> ; <searchLink fieldCode="MH" term="%22Longitudinal+Studies%22">Longitudinal Studies</searchLink> ; <searchLink fieldCode="MH" term="%22Middle+Aged%22">Middle Aged</searchLink> ; <searchLink fieldCode="MH" term="%22Aged%22">Aged</searchLink> ; <searchLink fieldCode="MH" term="%22Cognitive+Enhancement%22">Cognitive Enhancement</searchLink> – Name: Abstract Label: Abstract Group: Ab Data: Background: Type 2 diabetes mellitus-associated cognitive dysfunction (T2DACD) is strongly linked to disruption of cognition-supporting brain networks. Electroacupuncture (EA) has increasingly been examined as a nonpharmacological intervention targeting cognitive impairment; however, the longitudinal neurobiological patterns accompanying EA in T2DACD have not been fully characterized. In this exploratory pilot study, we evaluated alterations in resting-state functional connectivity (RSFC) across hippocampal subregions and default mode network (DMN) nodes in individuals with T2DACD.<br />Methods: For this exploratory, open-label, non-randomized, uncontrolled pilot investigation, we enrolled 20 individuals with T2DACD and 26 healthy controls (HCs). Longitudinal analyses included 15 participants who had usable post-treatment data. T2DACD was defined according to clinical type 2 diabetes mellitus criteria, and a Montreal Cognitive Assessment (MoCA) score &lt;26. Patients underwent an 8-week Adjust Zang-fu and Arouse Spirit electroacupuncture (AZASE) intervention. Cognitive, emotional, metabolic, and seed-based resting-state functional magnetic resonance imaging (rs-fMRI) outcomes were evaluated. Clinical longitudinal analyses were carried out according to protocol, whereas imaging analyses were limited to participants with usable scans after treatment.<br />Results: At baseline, individuals with T2DACD showed lower MoCA scores than HCs and had poorer executive and working-memory outcomes. Among the 15 participants with complete longitudinal neuroimaging data, MoCA scores increased from 23.27 ± 1.71 to 26.07 ± 1.53 over the intervention period. Within-group alterations were observed for Flanker-conflict reaction time and accuracy, Stroop-conflict reaction time, 1-back reaction time, Self-Rating Anxiety Scale score, and Hamilton Depression Rating Scale score. Omnibus group analyses detected significant effects for the left anterior hippocampus-left angular gyrus connection and the left posterior hippocampus-right middle occipital gyrus connection. Post-treatment scans demonstrated reduced RSFC in several hippocampal-DMN and intra-DMN connections. The association between change in left anterior hippocampus-left angular gyrus RSFC and change in Stroop-conflict performance was no longer statistically significant after Bonferroni correction. For neuroimaging outcomes, cluster-level family-wise error (FWE) correction (p &lt; 0.05) was applied to control for multiple comparisons; clinical outcomes are reported descriptively as hypothesis-generating findings.<br />Conclusions: In this exploratory pilot study, we identified preliminary alterations in cognitive outcomes and hippocampal-DMN connections over an 8-week EA intervention in individuals with T2DACD. In view of the small sample size and the open-label, non-randomized, uncontrolled design, the findings should be interpreted as hypothesis-generating observations rather than definitive evidence of a specific causal treatment effect. Larger controlled studies will be needed to determine whether the observed neural and behavioral alterations are reproducible and clinically meaningful in practice.<br />Clinical Trial Registration: No: ChiCTR2000040268, https://www.chictr.org.cn/hvshowproject.html?id=76145&v=1.3.<br /> (Copyright: © 2026 The Author(s). Published by IMR Press.) – Name: Abstract Label: Competing Interests Group: Ab Data: The authors declare no conflicts of interest. – Name: GrantInfo Label: Grant Information Group: Grant Data: 82074548 National Natural Science Foundation of China; YDZJ202401680ZYTS Natural Science Foundation of Jilin Province (Free exploration of general projects) – Name: SubjectMinor Label: Contributed Indexing Group: Data: <i>Keywords: </i>cognitive dysfunction; default mode network; diabetes mellitus, type 2; electroacupuncture; hippocampus; magnetic resonance imaging – Name: DateEntry Label: Entry Date(s) Group: Date Data: <i>Date Created: </i>20260930 <i>Date Completed: </i>20260930 <i>Latest Revision: </i>20260930 – Name: DateUpdate Label: Update Code Group: Date Data: 20260930 – Name: DOI Label: DOI Group: ID Data: 10.31083/JIN52929 – Name: AN Label: PMID Group: ID Data: 42811891 |
| PLink | https://search.ebscohost.com/login.aspx?direct=true&site=eds-live&db=cmedm&AN=42811891 |
| RecordInfo | BibRecord: BibEntity: Identifiers: – Type: doi Value: 10.31083/JIN52929 Languages: – Code: eng Text: English PhysicalDescription: Pagination: StartPage: 52929 Subjects: – SubjectFull: Humans Type: general – SubjectFull: Pilot Projects Type: general – SubjectFull: Magnetic Resonance Imaging Type: general – SubjectFull: Female Type: general – SubjectFull: Male Type: general – SubjectFull: Longitudinal Studies Type: general – SubjectFull: Middle Aged Type: general – SubjectFull: Aged Type: general – SubjectFull: Cognitive Enhancement Type: general – SubjectFull: Diabetes Mellitus, Type 2 complications Type: general – SubjectFull: Diabetes Mellitus, Type 2 physiopathology Type: general – SubjectFull: Diabetes Mellitus, Type 2 diagnostic imaging Type: general – SubjectFull: Hippocampus diagnostic imaging Type: general – SubjectFull: Hippocampus physiopathology Type: general – SubjectFull: Default Mode Network diagnostic imaging Type: general – SubjectFull: Default Mode Network physiopathology Type: general – SubjectFull: Cognitive Dysfunction etiology Type: general – SubjectFull: Cognitive Dysfunction physiopathology Type: general – SubjectFull: Cognitive Dysfunction diagnostic imaging Type: general – SubjectFull: Cognitive Dysfunction therapy Type: general – SubjectFull: Nerve Net diagnostic imaging Type: general – SubjectFull: Nerve Net physiopathology Type: general – SubjectFull: Electroacupuncture Type: general – SubjectFull: Connectome Type: general Titles: – TitleFull: Longitudinal Changes in Hippocampal-Default Mode Network Connectivity and Cognition During Electroacupuncture Intervention in Type 2 Diabetes-Associated Cognitive Decline: A Pilot Resting-State fMRI Study. Type: main BibRelationships: HasContributorRelationships: – PersonEntity: Name: NameFull: Yao L – PersonEntity: Name: NameFull: Li MY – PersonEntity: Name: NameFull: Liu YZ – PersonEntity: Name: NameFull: Cao JZ – PersonEntity: Name: NameFull: Lian Z – PersonEntity: Name: NameFull: Zhu HN – PersonEntity: Name: NameFull: Huang HP – PersonEntity: Name: NameFull: Zhong Z – PersonEntity: Name: NameFull: Wang HF IsPartOfRelationships: – BibEntity: Dates: – D: 21 M: 09 Text: 2026 Sep 21 Type: published Y: 2026 Identifiers: – Type: issn-print Value: 0219-6352 Numbering: – Type: volume Value: 25 – Type: issue Value: 9 Titles: – TitleFull: Journal of integrative neuroscience Type: main |
| ResultId | 1 |