Electroacupuncture Shows Promise in Reducing Parkinson’s Symptoms in Mice

A study found that electroacupuncture (a type of acupuncture where small needles are stimulated with a mild electric current) helped reduce signs of Parkinson’s disease in a mouse model. The treatment lowered the buildup of a harmful protein called alpha-synuclein, which is associated with Parkinson’s, and reduced nerve cell damage. The research also showed that electroacupuncture lowered brain inflammation by reducing a protein called SGLT1, which plays a key role in how brain cells use glucose (sugar) for energy. This is important because problems with glucose metabolism are linked to nerve cell damage in Parkinson’s disease. The study suggests that electroacupuncture may offer benefits for treating Parkinson’s and that targeting SGLT1 could be a helpful strategy. In tests, mice treated with electroacupuncture for 14 days showed fewer signs of Parkinson’s, like reduced alpha-synuclein buildup and nerve cell loss, compared to untreated mice. Electroacupuncture also increased levels of a protein called TRPC1, which helps regulate calcium levels in the brain. This boost in calcium, linked to lower SGLT1 levels, contributed to less brain inflammation. The study’s findings suggest that electroacupuncture could improve brain health in Parkinson’s by promoting better glucose metabolism and reducing harmful inflammation. More research is needed to confirm these benefits in people.