Advances in understanding the mitochondrial mechanisms underlying acupuncture therapy for post-stroke cognitive impairment

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Post-stroke cognitive impairment (PSCI) affects one-third of stroke survivors, significantly impacting their quality of life and self-care capabilities.
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Mitochondrial dysfunction is a key factor in the pathology of PSCI, influencing energy metabolism, oxidative stress, and neuroinflammation.
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Acupuncture may alleviate PSCI by restoring mitochondrial functions, including reducing oxidative stress and stabilizing mitochondrial membrane potential.
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High-quality clinical evidence linking acupuncture's effects on mitochondrial function to improvements in PSCI is currently limited.
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Future studies are needed to optimize acupuncture protocols and explore its potential in combination therapies for PSCI patients.

Frontiers In Neurology

by Xiao Luo, Yuting Dong, Ziqi Chen, Yijing Jiang, Tao Chen, Liu Wu, Cheng Xie, Qinjian Dong, Xin Mu, Juan Li, Rongjiang Jin
May 8, 2026

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