Acupuncture for neurodegenerative diseases: mechanisms, efficacy, and future research directions

In recent years, acupuncture has shown good therapeutic efficacy in treating neurodegenerative diseases, including Alzheimer's disease, Parkinson's disease, amyotrophic lateral sclerosis, and multiple sclerosis. Studies have demonstrated that acupuncture alleviates symptoms primarily by suppressing neuroinflammation, enhancing autophagy, improving synaptic plasticity, and optimizing mitochondrial function. As molecular research advances, the underlying mechanisms of acupuncture in these conditions have become increasingly clear. This review summarizes recent progress in understanding the efficacy and molecular mechanisms of acupuncture in neurodegenerative diseases, providing a theoretical support for its clinical application.