Neurodegenerative diseases involve progressive neuronal loss accompanied by abnormal protein folding, impaired protein clearance (including proteasome-related pathways), chronic neuroinflammation, and oxidative stress.

神經退化性疾病的核心病理包含神經元逐步流失，並伴隨錯誤摺疊蛋白累積、蛋白質清除系統（包含蛋白酶體相關路徑）功能下降、慢性神經發炎與氧化壓力。

These processes disrupt synaptic signaling, intracellular transport, and mitochondrial function, ultimately contributing to neuronal dysfunction and cell death.

這些病理變化會干擾突觸訊號、細胞內運輸與粒線體功能，最終導致神經元功能障礙與細胞死亡。

Clinical symptoms: Bradykinesia, rigidity, resting tremor, postural instability, and common non-motor symptoms such as sleep disturbance, constipation, autonomic dysfunction, anxiety, depression, and cognitive changes.

臨床症狀：動作遲緩、肌肉僵硬、靜止性顫抖、姿勢不穩，並常伴隨睡眠障礙、便秘、自律神經失調、焦慮、憂鬱與認知變化。

TCM classical interpretation: Parkinsonian features are traditionally discussed under “tremor (顫證)” and “internal wind (內風). Classical texts such as the Huangdi Neijing state that “all wind and dizziness belong to the liver,” emphasizing liver dysfunction, liver–kidney deficiency, and insufficient nourishment of the sinews, often compounded by phlegm and blood stasis obstructing the channels.

中醫經典觀點：中醫多將巴金森氏症樣表現歸於「顫證」「內風」範疇。《黃帝內經》提出「諸風掉眩，皆屬於肝」，指出肝失疏泄、肝腎不足導致筋脈失養，病程久延後常合併痰濁、血瘀阻滯經絡。

Modern research comparison: Contemporary studies identify dopaminergic neuron degeneration, α-synuclein aggregation, mitochondrial dysfunction, and chronic neuroinflammation as central mechanisms in Parkinson’s disease. Conceptually, these findings may be compared with Traditional Chinese Medicine descriptions of a progressive depletion of vital regulatory capacity (zheng qi deficiency), together with obstructive factors such as phlegm and blood stasis, contributing to impaired motor regulation.

現代研究對照：現代研究指出，多巴胺能神經元退化、α-突觸核蛋白聚集、粒線體功能障礙與慢性神經發炎是巴金森氏症的核心病理機制，概念上可對照中醫所述「正氣漸虛」合併「痰、瘀阻滯」的病機。

Clinical symptoms: Progressive memory loss, impaired learning and executive function, language difficulties, disorientation, and behavioral or personality changes.

臨床症狀：進行性記憶衰退、學習與執行功能下降、語言困難、定向感喪失，以及行為或人格改變。

TCM classical interpretation: Cognitive decline is associated with deficiency of kidney essence and insufficient nourishment of the brain. Classical theory describes the brain as “the sea of marrow,” with phlegm turbidity and blood stasis obstructing the clear orifices.

中醫經典觀點：中醫認為失智與記憶退化多與腎精不足、腦髓失養有關。《黃帝內經》提出「腦為髓之海」，後世醫家亦指出痰濁、血瘀蒙蔽清竅，影響神志與認知。

Modern research comparison: Alzheimer’s pathology highlights amyloid-β plaque formation, tau hyperphosphorylation, synaptic loss, impaired protein clearance, and persistent neuroinflammation. At a conceptual level, these mechanisms can be compared with Traditional Chinese Medicine frameworks describing depletion of essence and marrow together with phlegm turbidity and blood stasis obstructing cognitive clarity.

現代研究對照：現代病理學重點包含類澱粉蛋白 β 斑塊、tau 蛋白過度磷酸化、突觸流失、蛋白質清除障礙與持續性神經發炎，概念上可對照中醫所說的「精髓虧耗」合併「痰濁、瘀阻蒙竅」。

Acupuncture does not directly remove abnormal proteins or reverse neurodegeneration, but is positioned as supportive care within integrative medicine.

針灸並非直接清除異常蛋白或逆轉神經退化，而是在整合醫療中作為支持性照護。

Its clinical goals focus on symptom modulation, stress regulation, and quality-of-life support alongside ongoing medical care.

其臨床目標在於症狀調節、壓力管理與生活品質支持，並與既有醫療照護並行。