From the Guidelines
To reduce neuroinflammation, electroacupuncture is a promising method, as it has been shown to attenuate inflammatory responses and promote neuronal repair mechanisms, as evidenced by a recent study published in 2022 1.
Methods for Reducing Neuroinflammation
The following methods can help reduce neuroinflammation:
- Electroacupuncture: This method involves the use of acupuncture points such as GV 20 and ST 36 to reduce inflammatory responses and promote neuronal repair mechanisms, as shown in a study published in 2022 1.
- Anti-inflammatory lifestyle: Adopting an anti-inflammatory lifestyle that includes regular exercise, a Mediterranean diet rich in omega-3 fatty acids, adequate sleep, and stress management techniques like meditation can help reduce neuroinflammation.
- Specific supplements: Supplements such as omega-3 fish oil, curcumin, resveratrol, and vitamin D may help reduce neuroinflammation, as suggested by various studies 1.
- Medications: Non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs like ibuprofen, and in clinical settings, corticosteroids or specialized biologics, can be used to reduce neuroinflammation, as discussed in a study published in 2018 1.
Key Findings
- Electroacupuncture has been shown to down-regulate the levels of IL-6 and IL-1β in the hippocampus of depressed rats, suggesting its potential in alleviating depression through a mechanism involving neuroinflammation and immunological modulation, as reported in a study published in 2022 1.
- Nicotine has been found to have anti-inflammatory effects, as it can stimulate the cholinergic anti-inflammatory response and activate the parasympathetic nervous system to release acetylcholine, which then acts on circulating immune cells to modulate the immune response, as discussed in a study published in 2022 1.
Recommendations
- Consider electroacupuncture as a potential method for reducing neuroinflammation, as it has been shown to be effective in attenuating inflammatory responses and promoting neuronal repair mechanisms.
- Adopt an anti-inflammatory lifestyle and consider taking specific supplements, such as omega-3 fish oil and curcumin, to help reduce neuroinflammation.
- Medications such as non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs and corticosteroids can be used to reduce neuroinflammation, but should be used under the guidance of a healthcare professional.
From the FDA Drug Label
The annual exacerbation rate was 0.67 per year in the AVONEX-treated group and 0. 82 per year in the placebo-treated group (p = 0.04). AVONEX treatment significantly decreased the frequency of exacerbations in the subset of patients who were enrolled in the study for at least 2 years (87 placebo-treated patients and 85 AVONEX-treated patients; p = 0. 03; Gd-enhancing lesions seen on brain MRI scans represent areas of breakdown of the blood brain barrier thought to be secondary to inflammation. AVONEX-treated patients demonstrated significantly lower Gd-enhanced lesion number after 1 and 2 years of treatment than placebo-treated patients (p ≤ 0. 05;
The methods for reducing neuroinflammation include:
- Interferon beta-1a (IM) treatment, which has been shown to decrease the frequency of exacerbations and reduce Gd-enhanced lesion number, indicating a reduction in neuroinflammation 2.
- Reducing the annual exacerbation rate, as seen in the AVONEX-treated group, may also contribute to reducing neuroinflammation 2.
- Decreasing the breakdown of the blood-brain barrier, as indicated by lower Gd-enhanced lesion numbers, can help reduce neuroinflammation 2.
From the Research
Methods for Reducing Neuroinflammation
The following methods have been investigated as potential ways to reduce neuroinflammation:
- Anti-inflammatory medicines, which have shown promising benefits in several preclinical models, although clinical outcomes are often questionable 3
- Specialized Pro-resolving Mediators (SPM), which are biosynthesized in response to chemicals produced from acute inflammatory responses and have been shown to have anti-inflammatory and pro-resolving effects in neurodegenerative disorders 4
- Dietary intervention, which has immunomodulatory effects and could limit the inflammatory process induced by microglia and astrocytes, exerting pleiotropic neuroprotective effects independently from the spectrum of pathophysiological mechanisms underlying the specific disorder 5
- Pharmacologic downregulation of inflammatory pathways, such as targeting the transcription factor NF-κB and the inflammasome protein NLRP3, which has been shown to be neuroprotective in protein misfolding disorders 6
- Phytotherapeutic intervention, which involves the use of phytochemicals as potential therapeutic molecules for treating neurodegenerative diseases with an inflammatory component 7
Key Findings
- Neuroinflammation is a key component in the etiopathogenesis of neurological diseases and brain aging 5
- Chronic neuroinflammation may represent a novel approach to treatment of neurodegenerative diseases 4
- The use of anti-inflammatory agents as a potential therapeutic option for neurodegenerative disorders has been investigated, although clinical outcomes are often questionable 3
- SPMs hold great promise for neuroprotection in Alzheimer's disease and Parkinson's disease by altering expression of pro-inflammatory genes, modulating macrophage function, and promoting resolution of neuroinflammation 4
- Dietary intervention and phytotherapeutic intervention may be useful in reducing neuroinflammation and exerting neuroprotective effects 5, 7