Imagine your brain as a complex network of interconnected regions, each responsible for different functions. Now, picture that network being disrupted in Parkinson’s disease, causing motor dysfunction and a range of other symptoms. But fear not! Acupuncture comes to the rescue, like a skilled puzzle-solver, unraveling the mystery of how it improves symptoms in mice with Parkinson’s disease. By delving deep into the brains of these furry test subjects, scientists uncovered that acupuncture has a miraculous effect on brain neural activity and functional connectivity. Using fancy machine learning techniques, they discovered that a key region called M1 holds the secret to improved motor function through its neural activity patterns. And it doesn’t stop there – acupuncture normalizes not only M1 activity but also other crucial brain regions involved in both motor and non-motor symptoms of Parkinson’s disease. These findings shed light on the intricate mechanisms at play behind acupuncture’s therapeutic benefits, opening doors to novel treatment approaches. So, if you’re curious to learn more about how acupuncture works its magic on brain function and helps alleviate Parkinson’s symptoms, be sure to explore the fascinating research behind it!
Parkinson’s disease (PD) is a multilayered progressive brain disease characterized by motor dysfunction and a variety of other symptoms. Although acupuncture has been used to ameliorate various symptoms of neurodegenerative disorders, including PD, the underlying mechanisms are unclear. Here, we investigated the mechanism of acupuncture by revealing the effects of acupuncture treatment on brain neural responses and its functional connectivity in an animal model of PD. We observed that destruction of neuronal network between many brain regions in PD mice were reversed by acupuncture. Using machine learning analysis, we found that the key region associated with the improvement of abnormal behaviors might be related to the neural activity of M1, suggesting that the changes of c-Fos in M1 could predict the improvement of motor function induced by acupuncture treatment. In addition, acupuncture treatment was shown to significantly normalize the brain neural activity not only in M1 but also in other brain regions related to motor behavior (striatum, substantia nigra pars compacta, and globus pallidus) and non-motor symptoms (hippocampus, lateral hypothalamus, and solitary tract) of PD. Taken together, our results demonstrate that acupuncture treatment might improve the PD symptoms by normalizing the brain functional connectivity in PD mice model and provide new insights that enhance our current understanding of acupuncture mechanisms for non-motor symptoms.
Dr. David Lowemann, M.Sc, Ph.D., is a co-founder of the Institute for the Future of Human Potential, where he leads the charge in pioneering Self-Enhancement Science for the Success of Society. With a keen interest in exploring the untapped potential of the human mind, Dr. Lowemann has dedicated his career to pushing the boundaries of human capabilities and understanding.
Armed with a Master of Science degree and a Ph.D. in his field, Dr. Lowemann has consistently been at the forefront of research and innovation, delving into ways to optimize human performance, cognition, and overall well-being. His work at the Institute revolves around a profound commitment to harnessing cutting-edge science and technology to help individuals lead more fulfilling and intelligent lives.
Dr. Lowemann’s influence extends to the educational platform BetterSmarter.me, where he shares his insights, findings, and personal development strategies with a broader audience. His ongoing mission is shaping the way we perceive and leverage the vast capacities of the human mind, offering invaluable contributions to society’s overall success and collective well-being.
