Acupuncture in the Treatment of Parkinson’s Disease

Many studies have shown the potential benefits of the acupuncture for Parkinson’s disease although lack of the solid scientific data in clinic. To understand the mechanism of acupuncture is not easy, but many clues in this review would be helpful for the study in the future. As we know today that acupuncture may affect multiple factors of the brain activities, which may involve in the pathogenesis and the development of Parkinson’s disease. They include Dopamine, Dopaminergic neurons, Dopaminergic metabolites, Dopamine D2 receptors, Cyclooxygenase-2 (COX-2), inducible Nitric Oxide Synthase (iNOS), brain-derived Neurotrophic factor (BNDF), Superoxide Dismutase (SOD) and Lipids Peroxides (LPO) in the striatum, substantia nigra (SN), and ventral tegmental area (VTA). Different techniques of acupuncture stimulation seem induce the different responses of the neural activities on the animal model. [N A J Med Sci. 2009;2(1):32-34.] Key wards: Acupuncture, Parkinson’s disease, Dopamine, Striatum, Substantia nigra