Acupuncture Treatment Parkinsons Disease
The mechanisms of acupuncture are varied and intertwined – the research is still ongoing. In the meantime, we have outlined here 8 ways through which acupuncture benefits those who suffer from Parkinson’s Disease.
The most important mechanism for reducing dopamine neuron degeneration is by increasing neurotrophic factors like BDNF and GDNF. This method is superior to more common interventions like Deep Brain Stimulation and L-dope administration.
Wherever you are in the world, look for an acupuncturist to help you. Hopefully , you may see encouraging results within a few sessions!
#1 Mechanism – Acupuncture Delays Progress of Dopamine Neuron Degeneration
Existing Knowledge and Treatments:
Parkinson’s Disease is characteristically defined by the progressive degeneration of the dopamine neurons in the Substantial Nigra.
The best strategy for Parkinson’s is to slow down the degeneration of dopamine neurons.
Unfortunately, existing strategies, including L-dopa administration and deep brain stimulation of the subthalmic nucleus, do not provide significant therapeutic effect.
Neurotrophic factors:
Neurotrophic factors are substances that regulate the growth and survival of cells in the brain and nervous system. In Parkinson’s Disease, as with other neurodegenerative like Alzheimer’s and Multiple Sclerosis, neurotrophic factors deplete over time.
As such, anything that increases neurotrophic factors is good for Parkinson’s. The research on acupuncture postulates that:
- Acupuncture with high-frequency stimulation increases the expression of brain derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) mRNA, which then contributes to slowing down dopamine neuron degeneration.
- Acupuncture with electrostimulation has a neuroprotective effect against the degeneration of dopamine neurons by activating endogenous BDNF and GDNF.
- Acupuncture at points GB34 and LR3 significantly reduced dopamine neuron degeneration.
- Acupuncture at acupuncture point ST36 could improve behavioral test and TH straining in the Substantial Nigra.
- Electroacupuncture of GB34 results in improvement of behavioral impairment and reduction in tyrosine TH-positive dopamine neurodegeneration.
#2 Mechanism – Acupuncture Improves the Dopaminergic System of the Body
There is enough evidence to suggest that acupuncture is able to
- modify how dopamine is released, synthesized and degraded.
- modify how dopamine receptors function.
We know from research by Wang et al (2009) that electrostimulation of points GV20 and Taiyang are able to slow down dopamine degeneration.
There are two ways in which Acupuncture improves the Dopaminergic System.
(A) Acupuncture Increases Dopamine in the Brain
Most of this research was done to establish how stimulation of certain acupuncture points would cause an increase in dopamine levels in the brain.
Some of the points used and the results are:
- Acupuncture at Gb34, PC6, LR3 and Du20 would increase the levels of dopamine, noradrenalin in the cerebral spinal fluid of patients.
- Just needling Du20 could increase dopamine levels in the caudate nucleus and mesencephalon.
- Acupuncture at Du20, Du16 and LR3 would significantly increase behavioral performance as well as striatal dopamine levels.
- Electroacupuncture of the ‘four gates’ points LI4 and LR3 increased expression of PKA and CREB1, compounds which maintain dopamine balance in the brain.
- From research that studied the effects of acupuncture on abnormal auditory brainstem responses, a single experimental acupuncture treatment was able to activate dopamine neurons and increase cerebral dopamine levels.
(B) Acupuncture Activates Dopamine Transport
Below are some research findings related to dopamine transport aka DAT:
- Stimulating LI4 and LR3 once a day over the span of 21 days was able to significantly increase the number of cells with DAT-positive expression.
- Electroacupuncture of the scalp was able to maintain levels of bilateral striatal dopamine transport.
- Patients who received L-dopa and electroacupuncture to the scalp had increased regional cerebral blood flow in the frontal lobe, occipital lobe, basal ganglion and cerebellum.
#3 Mechanism – Acupuncture Improves the Motor Control Network in the Brain
As dopamine neurons are depleted over time, the motor control network in the basal ganglia circuit starts to function abnormally.
Studies have reported the efficacy of acupuncture in correcting abnormal basal ganglia circuitry.
We know that:
- Electroacupuncture is able to balance the activity of each nucleus in the basal ganglia circuit.
- High frequency electroacupuncture is able to normalize levels of Substance P, which is reduced in Parkinson’s patients.
- Electroacupuncture at Du20 and Du14 improves the motor control network by increasing GABA-nergic inhibition in the output structure of the basal ganglia.
#4 Mechanism – Acupuncture Activates Dopamine Transport
Below are some research findings related to dopamine transport aka DAT:
- Stimulating LI4 and LR3 once a day over the span of 21 days was able to significantly increase the number of cells with DAT-positive expression.
- Electroacupuncture of the scalp was able to maintain levels of bilateral striatal dopamine transport.
- Patients who received L-dopa and electroacupuncture to the scalp had increased regional cerebral blood flow in the frontal lobe, occipital lobe, basal ganglion and cerebellum.
#5 Mechanism – Acupuncture Inhibits Microglial Activation and Protects against Inflammation
We know that MPTP activates the microglia in the Substantia Nigra, and that this activation increase inflammation in the brain.
In a study by Kang et al (2007), acupuncture on GB34 and LR3 reduced microglial activation, hence reducing brain inflammation in patients with Parkinson’s Disease.
#6 Mechanism – Acupuncture Improves the Peripheral Nervous System
Electro Scalp Acupuncture improves the abnormal tremor myoelectric potential. There are three studies that explored how, and the acupuncture points used as as below:
- Xi et al (1996) used Du20 alone, with 39% of the participants seeing elimination of abnormal tremor myoelectric potential. There were 28% who did not see improvement.
- Huang (2000b) used bilateral CTCA and MCA, with 25.8% of the participants seeing elimination of abnormal tremor myoelectric potential. There were 22.6% who did not see improvement.
- Wang et al (2003) GB20, GB6, GB5 and Du21, with 79%% of the participants seeing elimination of abnormal tremor myoelectric potential.
