Research progress on the role of acupuncture in Alzheimer's disease based on the PI3K/AKT/mTOR signaling pathway

Alzheimer's disease (AD) is a chronic neurodegenerative disease that is frequent among the aged and is characterized by symptoms of memory loss. With the development of the disease, cognitive impairment becomes obvious and leads to a heterogeneous spectrum of mental and behavioral problems that put a heavy burden on families and the society. Recent investigations suggest that the phosphoinositide 3-kinase (PI3K)/protein kinase B (AKT)/mammalian target of rapamycin (mTOR) signaling pathway is important in AD. In this paper, we describe the detailed mechanisms of this pathway that are also involved in AD, and the current research status in terms of the relationship of the effects of acupuncture with it.