Acupuncture May Rewire Depression Brain Circuits, New Imaging Sheds Light

A meta-analysis of seven trials (357 adults with major depressive disorder) finds acupuncture produces distinct neuroplastic changes in emotion and reward circuits, differing from antidepressants by activating the right cingulum and caudate and, with more sessions, changes in the left amygdala. Acupuncture also showed greater reductions in depression and anxiety scores than antidepressants, though many participants were also on meds. The study suggests acupuncture could offer complementary mechanisms for treatment-resistant depression, but larger, longer-term, standardized trials and studies of underlying molecular pathways are needed.