Researchers  believe  that acupuncture  affects  a  complex  set of  brain  structures  referred  to  as  the  limbic system.  This  system  includes  the hypothalamus,  the  hippocampus,  and  the  amygdala.  It  is  responsible  for  our  emotional  life,  and  plays  an  important  role  in  the  formation  of  memories.

The  limbic  system  receives  input  from  a  number  of  sources  including  the  vagus  nerve  and  the  nerves  that make  up  the  spinal  cord.  These  nerves  also  directly influence  the  organs  of  the  body.  (see  fig.  B)  
The  major  acupuncture  points of  the  back  that we  see  in  figure  “C”  are  positioned  to  stimulate  these  very  nerves.  Stimulation  of  these  points  simultaneously  stimulate  the  organs  and  the  brain  –  the  limbic  system  –  producing  a regulating  homeostatic  effect.

In a study from 2009-2010 Massachusetts General Hospital received $5.9 million from Federal Government agencies to study the neurobiological effects of acupuncture. The center tested the hypothesis that acupuncture generates a widespread response in the brain, and that the brain's limbic system plays a central role in this response.
•    In 2004, žMillea and Reed found that acupuncture reduced agitation associated with Alzheimer’s.
•    In 2000, at the World Alzheimer’s Conference, Lombardo presented evidence that acupuncture made significant improvements in depression and anxiety, which she believed led to improved cognitive ability.
•    žAlso in 2000, Dr. Kao of Hong Kong University reported that patients "significantly improved" on measures of verbal orientation and motor coordination and had higher overall MMSE scores, leading the researchers to conclude that acupuncture treatment "has shown significant therapeutic effects" in reducing the symptoms of Alzheimer's disease.
•    In 1998 the NIH confirmed conclusively that needle acupuncture was an effective medical procedure.

 In  conclusion,  the  limbic  system  links  together  emotion  and  memory.   It  is  evident  that  acupuncture  has  an  effect  on  the  emotional  state  in  Alzheimer’s,  and  that  this  regulated  emotional  state  has  a  positive  affect  on  cognitive  ability.  We  support  the  findings  that  acupuncture  can  relieve  symptoms  of  Alzheimer’s.  We  also  believe  that  acupuncture  can  be  used  as  a  preventative  measure  by  regulating  the  functions  of  the nervous  system.