Acupuncture may slow Parkinson's disease progression by protecting dopaminergic neurons and regulating neurotransmitter balance, potentially reducing dependence on medication.

2021 Neural Plasticity Acupuncture for Parkinson’s Disease: Efficacy Evaluation and Mechanisms in the Dopaminergic Neural Circuit Zhao Y, Zhang Z, Qin S, Fan W, Li W, Liu J, et al.

Review Article Dopamine Parkinson's Disease

The study summarizes various clinical trials that explore the impact of acupuncture on Parkinson's disease. It predominantly focuses on how acupuncture, when combined with anti-Parkinson's medication, helps in improving the symptoms of the disease. Furthermore, it delves into the protective role of acupuncture on dopaminergic neurons in the brain through various physiological pathways including antioxidative stress, anti-inflammatory, and anti-apoptotic mechanisms. The abstract also discusses how acupuncture could potentially modulate the neurotransmitter balance in the patient's basal ganglia circuit.

The results inferred from the review of the current studies show possible benefits of acupuncture in managing Parkinson's disease. During the early stages of the disease in particular, acupuncture demonstrated potential in reducing the neurodegeneration of the dopamine-producing neurons in the brain. This could eventually regulate the balance of the dopaminergic circuit in the brains of these patients. This regulation and neuroprotective role suggest that acupuncture could potentially delay the progression of Parkinson's disease. These potential benefits could reduce the patient's dependence on medication for managing their symptoms.

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