Acupuncture at specific body points reduced stress-related depressive behaviour in mice by altering brain activity and serotonin receptor signalling.
Male mice underwent repeated restraint stress to induce depression-like behaviour, then received acupuncture at selected therapeutic points, alternative control points, or non-point locations. Behaviour was evaluated using an exploratory movement test, while brain activity was examined through cellular activity markers and serotonin receptor expression across multiple brain regions.
Acupuncture at the selected points improved depression-like behaviour, whereas control-point and non-point stimulation did not. The treatment altered activity in brain regions involved in emotion, sensory processing, movement, and stress regulation, and increased serotonin receptor expression in cortical, hippocampal, thalamic, and hypothalamic areas.
