Neuro-Immune-Endocrine Mechanism of Acupuncture in the Treatment for Nervous System Diseases

Neuro-immune-endocrine dysfunction is one of the essential mechanisms in the pathogenesis of many nervous system diseases, such as Alzheimer’s disease, Parkinson’s disease, multiple sclerosis, Huntington’s disease, stroke, brain trauma, epilepsy, major depression disorder, post-traumatic stress disorder, etc. The dysregulation of neuroimmune pathways is a common characteristic of neurological diseases, including changes in cytokine signals, proliferation, migration of immune cells, etc. Evidence also proves that abnormalities of neuroendocrine systems play a key role in affective diseases, for example, the hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal axis in the development and persistence of depressive symptoms and recurrence of depression. Recently, there has been a growing focus on the critical role of neuro-endocrine-immune regulation by acupuncture in nervous system diseases. Existing research shows that acupuncture can stimulate the neuroendocrine system to regulate the release of neurotransmitters, neuropeptides, and hormones. These substances released by the neuroendocrine system can also indirectly affect the immune system by acting on the corresponding receptors of immune organs and immune cells. However, more in-depth analyses on the specific mechanism are worthy of further investigation.

Therefore, this Research Topic aims to advance the valuable discoveries regarding the neuro-immune-endocrine mechanism of acupuncture in treating nervous system diseases. Articles can focus on how acupuncture takes effect through neuro-immune-endocrine pathways in nervous system diseases. Acupuncture treatments include but are not limited to electroacupuncture, auricular acupuncture, and abdominal acupuncture alone or in combination. We also encourage the integration of modern medicine with acupuncture in order to fill the gap of knowledge between them based on solid scientific reasons.

Potential topics include but are not limited to the following:
- Neuroimmune and acupuncture
- Neuroendocrine and acupuncture
- Acupuncture for stroke
- Acupuncture for Alzheimer’s disease or vascular dementia
- Acupuncture for Parkinson’s disease
- Acupuncture for anxiety and depression

Various types of articles are welcome, including original research, clinical trial, reviews, meta-analysis, etc.