Scalp acupuncture increased dopamine release in the striatum of Parkinson’s disease models

Although scalp acupuncture is relatively new compared with body acupuncture it has been used to effectively treat neurological disorders such as stroke. Scalp acupuncture not only accelerated the functional recovery, also alleviated many post-stroke complications alone or in combination with rehabilitation training courses.

Scalp acupuncture has gained increasingly attention in Parkinson’s disease (PD) research and treatment. Scalp acupuncture studies in PD models reported that scalp acupuncture stimulation modulated expression of many biomarkers in favour of survival of dopaminergic neuron in brain. For example, scalp acupuncture increased release of neurotrophic factor; inhibited apoptotic cell death process, protected dopaminergic neurons against toxin insults. This led to the increased release of dopamine in the striatum, the important movement regulatory centre in the brain, leading to better functional recovery.

Although studies of body acupuncture also reported its neuroprotection in PD models it did not increase dopamine content in the striatum. It is conceivable that combination of scalp acupuncture and body acupuncture should increase neuroprotection and dopamine levels in the brain. This will improve the efficacy of acupuncture treatment in Parkinson’s disease.

Reference:

Wang S et al., Study on the mechanism of electroacupuncture scalp point penetration therapy in action on apoptosis in the Parkinson's disease rat model. Zhongguo Zhen Jiu. 2009 Apr;29(4):309-13.  http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/19565741