An overview of complementary and alternative medicine for Alzheimer's and Parkinson's disease

Parkinson s disease (PD) and Alzheimer s disease (AD) are two common neurodegenerative diseases that primarily affect the elderly population. AD causes dementia and is associated with disrupted brain structure and function, and its classical hallmarks include the accumulation of the beta-Amyloid plaques and build-up of tau tangles. On the other hand, PD features a myriad of motor aberrations characterised by tremors, postural instability, rigidity, and bradykinesia as a result of the loss of dopaminergic neurons in the brain. Currently, available treatment regimens for AD and PD show limited efficacy in alleviating the symptoms or reversing pathogenesis. Inadvertently, several complementary and alternative medicine (CAM) methods have been linked to symptomatic relief for both conditions. These CAM approaches include the utilisation of natural products, nutritional supplements, acupuncture, and exercise. In this review, a repertoire of CAM therapies and their effectiveness in alleviating AD and PD are discussed.