ReviewHeliyon2023
Targeting BDNF with acupuncture: A novel integrated strategy for diabetes and depression comorbidity.
Review in Heliyon, 2023. The graph could read no effect estimate from its abstract, so it casts no vote on the map. Cited by 9 papers, 2 of them syntheses that pooled it.
What it found
Each row is one number read from the abstract, on the scale the paper reported it, with its interval. Left of the dashed line favours the treatment, right favours the comparator. Under each row is the sentence it came from. New to these charts? A ten-minute tutorial.
The abstract states no effect estimate the extractor could read, or names no intervention and outcome on the map, so this paper lights no cell and moves no belief. It is still indexed, cited and linked below.
The trial behind it
Trials whose registry record cites this paper, or whose number appears in the abstract. A trial that started after this paper was published is citing it as background, not reporting it.
Neither the registry nor the abstract names a trial number. If this is a trial report, that itself is worth knowing.
Who cites it
9 citing papers in PubMed, 2 syntheses or guidelines pooled it, 11 citations in OpenAlex.
- Global research hotspots and trends of acupuncture regulating neuroplasticity: a bibliometric analysis from 2005 to 2024.Frontiers in neurology · 2025Pooled it
- The efficacy and potential mechanism of the acupuncture treatment for type 2 diabetes mellitus: A systematic review and meta-analysis of data from animal models.Frontiers in endocrinology · 2025Pooled it
- Investigating the Antidepressant Mechanism of Acupuncture with a Focus on Mitochondrial Homeostasis.International journal of general medicine · 2026Review
- Acupuncture's Regulatory Role in Glial Cells and Their Interactions for Antidepressant Effects: A Review of Research Progress.Journal of multidisciplinary healthcare · 2026Review
- Integrative Medicine for Patients with Diabetes and Mental Health Disorders: A Narrative Review.Current psychiatry reports · 2025Review
- Proteome-wide and network pharmacology integration identifies sunitinib as a potential therapeutic for type 2 diabetes targets.Therapeutic advances in endocrinology and metabolism · 2025Article
- Application of Acupuncture in Diabetic Vascular Complications: Efficacy and Potential Mechanisms.Journal of diabetes research · 2025Review
- Bidirectional relationship between diabetes mellitus and depression: Mechanisms and epidemiology.World journal of psychiatry · 2024Article
- Therapeutic modulation of pain-related affective disorders by acupuncture: Mechanistic review.Molecular painReview
Corrections and comments
PubMed lists nothing against this paper. Absence here is not a guarantee, only a check that was made.
Authors and funding
6 authors at 4 institutions in 1 country.
Funding
No grant is acknowledged in the PubMed record.
Abstract
Diabetes and depression are common comorbid conditions that impose a substantial health burden. Acupuncture may effectively improve symptoms in patients with diabetes and depression, but the underlying mechanism remains unclear. Brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) may play a vital role in the effects of acupuncture on diabetes and depression comorbidity. This review summarizes the potential role of BDNF in acupuncture for diabetes and depression comorbidity. BDNF appears to exert its effects via the BDNF-TrkB-ERK-CREB signaling pathway. BDNF levels are reduced in diabetes and depression, and acupuncture may increase BDNF expression, improving symptoms and glycemic control. High-quality research is needed to validate the efficacy of acupuncture for diabetes and depression comorbidity. Randomized controlled trials and mechanistic studies should investigate the BDNF pathway and other potential mechanisms. Improved understanding of the links between diabetes, depression and acupuncture may enable targeted and individualized patient care. Earlier diagnosis and management of diabetes and depression comorbidity should also be a priority.
Indexed as
Identifiers
What OpenQuestion holds
Registered trials
Read under generation 80e0d062 · epoch 390. Bibliography from PubMed, PubMed Central and OpenAlex; grants from NIH RePORTER; trial links from ClinicalTrials.gov; estimates, votes and beliefs from the OpenQuestion graph.