Parkinson’s disease (PD), the second most common neurodegenerative disorder, involves dopaminergic neuron degeneration, abnormal α-synuclein aggregation, and energy metabolic disruption. AMP activated protein kinase (AMPK), a key cellular energy metabolic regulator, has multiple roles in PD progression. This paper explores the structure and function of AMPK and its regulatory mechanisms in PD, including its roles in modulating neuronal energy metabolism, mediating mitochondrial function, inhibiting oxidative stress, inducing autophagy, and regulating neuroinflammation and apoptosis. Potential AMPK-based PD therapies are also reviewed, including natural products (e.g., resveratrol, curcumin), gene therapy, and targeted delivery systems, while noting the need to precisely control the dual effects of AMPK (e.g., overactivation causes energy stress). Future research should focus on clarifying interactions between AMPK and other pathways (e.g., SIRT1 and NF-κB) and improving the spatiotemporal specificity of targeted treatments for clinical translation. This study offers crucial theoretical support for understanding mechanisms underlying PD and developing AMPK-targeted therapies.