Treatment Strategies for Sundowning Syndrome in Alzheimer's Disease Based on the Zi Wu Liu Zhu Theory
10.13288/j.11-2166/r.2025.13.007
- VernacularTitle:基于子午流注理论探讨阿尔茨海默病日落综合征辨治思路
- Author:
Xingyun SUN
1
;
Fuyao LI
2
;
Jing SHI
1
Author Information
1. Dongzhimen Hospital， Beijing University of Chinese Medicine，Beijing，100700
2. Beijing University of Chinese Medicine
- Publication Type:Journal Article
- Keywords:
Alzheimer's disease;
sundowning syndrome;
midnight-noon ebb-llow;
time rhythm
- From:
Journal of Traditional Chinese Medicine
2025;66(13):1340-1344
- CountryChina
- Language:Chinese
-
Abstract:
This paper explores the traditional Chinese medicine （TCM） pathomechanism， as well as pattern differentiation and treatments for sundowning syndrome in Alzheimer's disease through midnight-noon and ebb-flow theory. The syndrome's onset aligns with three critical time periods governed by three specific channels， including the bladder channel （3：00—5：00 pm， Shen period）， the kidney channel （5：00—7：00 pm， You period）， and the pericardium channel （7：00—9：00 pm， Xu period）. It is believed that when the symptoms occurred at the bladder channel （Shen period）， the pathomechanism manifested as yang qi floating upward and internal heat-blood stasis， and the treatment should supplement the kidney and essence， expelling stasis and discharging heat， as well as returning fire to its origin， using modified Taohe Chengqi Decoction （桃核承气汤） combined with Erzhi Pill （二至丸）. When the symptoms occurred at the kidney channel （You period）， the pathomechanism characterized by marrow sea deficiency and yin failing to anchor yang， so treatment follows the principles of supplementing the kidney and filling essence， as well as calming the mind and subduing yang， using modified Liuwei Dihuang Pill （六味地黄丸） combined with Erzhi Pill （二至丸）. When the symptoms occurred at the pericardium channel （Xu period）， the pathomechanism characterized as phlegm-turbidity clouding the mind and obstructing the brain， then the intervention need clear heat and dissolve phlegm， as well as open the orifices and calm the mind， using modified Wendan Decoction （温胆汤）. Additionally， comprehensive therapy combining oral administration of TCM decoctions with acupuncture， pressure pills on ear points， and point application therapy， which provides clinical insights for the treatment of this disease.
