Transcutaneous vagus nerve stimulation (tVNS) is an emerging non-invasive technique designed to stimulate branches of the vagus nerve distributed over the body surface. Studies suggest a correlation between the brain-gut-microbiota (BGM) axis and the pathogenesis of Alzheimer’s disease (AD). The BGM axis represents a complex bidirectional communication system, with the vagus nerve being a crucial component. Therefore, non-invasive electrical stimulation of the vagus nerve might have the potential to modify—most of the time probably in a non-physiological way—the signal transmission within the BGM axis, potentially influencing the progression or symptoms of AD. This review explores the interaction between percutaneous vagus nerve stimulation and the BGM axis, emphasizing its potential effects on AD. It examines various aspects, such as specific brain regions, gut microbiota composition, maintenance of intestinal environmental homeostasis, inflammatory responses, brain plasticity, and hypothalamic–pituitary–adrenal (HPA) axis regulation. The review suggests that tVNS could serve as an effective strategy to modulate the BGM axis and potentially intervene in the progression or treatment of Alzheimer’s disease in the future.

Neuropathic pain(NP)is a persistent and refractory chronic pain condition resulting from damage or disease of the somatosensory nervous system.Its complex pathogenesis,coupled with low clinical remission rate,significantly impairs the physical and mental well-being of the affected individuals.As a mature non-invasive neuromodulation technique,transcranial magnetic stimu-lation(TMS)can generate transient magnetic pulses penetrating through the skull,induce changes in cortical neuronal potentials,and affect the function and structure of the nervous system,which can not only alleviate NP-related symptoms,but also improve NP-related emotional disorders.However,there is no consensus on the neurobiological mechanism of TMS-induced analgesia.This study reviews the neurobiological mechanisms of TMS in alleviating NP from the aspects of regulation of synaptic plasticity,func-tional reorganization of neural network(inducing cortical-cortical functional connectivity and subcortical brain region functional connectivity),sensitivity of afferent nerve fibers,neurotransmitter levels and neuroimmunity based on the mechanism of TMS,in or-der to provide a basis for the treatment of NP by TMS.However,there are still some shortcomings,such as insufficient in-depth study of synaptic plasticity,the lack of further refinement in the research of the sensitivity of afferent nerve fibers,and the limitation of neuroimmune research.It is necessary to carry out multi-center and large sample studies,explore the mechanism of TMS regula-ting neural network by using new techniques such as cranial electroencephalogram,and promote the application of paired-pulse TMS in clinical research related to NP,so as to provide more reliable evidence for the treatment of NP with TMS.

Alzheimer’s disease, one of the most severe and common neurodegenerative diseases, has no effective cure. Therefore it is crucial to explore novel and effective therapeutic targets. The gut microbiota - brain axis has been found to play a role in Alzheimer’s disease by regulating the neuro-immune and endocrine systems. At the same time, acupuncture can modulate the gut microbiota and may impact the course of Alzheimer’s disease. In this Review, we discuss recent studies on the role of acupuncture on the gut microbiota as well current challenges and future opportunities of acupuncture as potential treatment for the prevention and treatment of Alzheimer’s disease.

Objective:To explore the law of acupoints selection in treatment of vascular dementia（VD）based on data mining.Methods:Literature met the inclusion criteria were selected from the databases of CNKI,CBM,Wanfang,VIP,PubMed,EMbase and Cochrane,and the data were analyzed by Microsoft Excel2019,IBM SPSS Statistics 26.0 and IBM SPSS Modeler 18.0 to perform cluster analysis and association rule analysis.Results:A total of 164 acupuncture prescriptions with 142 acupoints were included,involving 1,832 acupoints frequencies.The top five points used in descending order were Baihui（DU20）,Zusanli（ST36）,Sishencong（EX-HN1）,Neiguan（P6） and Sanyinjiao（SP6）.Four valid clusters were obtained,that is Shenmen（HT7）-Taixi（KI3）,Xuehai（SP10）-ST36,SP6-P6 and Fengchi（GB20）-DU20.2 acupoints groups were obtained,namely P6-SP6-EX-HN1-DU20-GB20-Shuigou（DU26） and ST36-SP10-Fenglong（ST40）-Shenshu（BL23）-KI3-HT7-Taichong（LR3）-Shenting（DU24）,Conclusion:Acupuncture treatment for VD is mostly based on DU20,ST36,EX-HN1,P6 and SP6,Yang meridian and specific points are mainly selected,the compatibility of upper points and lower points and the compatibility of distant points and local points are applied,which provides a reference for clinical treatment of VD.

卒中后失语症(post-stroke aphasia,PSA)是临床常见的一种获得性交流障碍综合征[1],以语言表达、语言理解障碍为主要表现,伴或不伴有写作、认知等功能障碍,是卒中常见后遗症之一.全球疾病负担研究(global burden of disease,GBD)数据显示,2019 年我国卒中人数达2876万例[2].

梅杰综合征(Meige syndrome)是MEIGE H[1]首先描述的一组罕见的椎体外系疾病,根据临床症状可以分为眼睑痉挛型、眼睑痉挛合并口下颌肌张力障碍型、口下颌肌张力障碍型、其他型[2].本病归属于中医学"目瞤"范畴,病因多与肝、脾、肾脏腑功能失调密切相关,其发病的基本病机为肝风内动,脾失健运[3].针刺作为中医学的特色治疗,将整体观念与辨证论治相结合,根据患者的症状及舌脉、四诊合参,突显出了中医的辨证优势.虽然治疗周期长,但疗效显著,无明显不良反应.

近年研究发现脑-肠-微生物轴(BGMA)与阿尔茨海默病(AD)的发生发展息息相关,BGMA能够在神经-免疫、肠道微生物群等多方面影响AD,是治疗AD的潜在新靶点.三焦针法是全国名中医韩景献教授依据其提出的"三焦气化失司-衰老"理论所创立,在临床被广泛运用于AD等老年性疾病的治疗.本文就三焦理论及三焦针法与BGMA的联系做一综述,以期在未来三焦针法调控BGMA能够成为治疗AD的新靶点.