To date, the therapeutic strategy against
cognitive impairment in
Parkinson's disease (PD) is still not in satisfaction level and requires novel effective intervention. Based the oxidative stress reduction and cognitive enhancement induced by
laser acupuncture at HT7, the beneficial effect of
laser acupuncture at HT7 against
cognitive impairment in PD has been focused. In this study, we aimed to determine the effect of
laser acupuncture at HT7 on memory impairment, oxidative stress status, and the functions of both
cholinergic and dopaminergic systems in hippocampus of animal model of PD. Male Wistar rats, weighing 180-220 g, were induced unilateral lesion at right substantianigra by
6-OHDA and were treated with
laser acupuncture continuously at a period of 14 days. The results showed that
laser acupuncture at HT7 enhanced memory and neuron density in CA3 and dentate gyrus. The decreased AChE,
MAO-B, and MDA together with increased GSH-Px in hippocampus of a
6-OHDA lesion rats were also observed. In conclusion,
laser acupuncture at HT7 can improve
neuron degeneration and memory impairment in animal model of PD partly via the decreased oxidative stress and the improved
cholinergic and dopaminergic functions. More researches concerning effect of
treatment duration are still required.