fMRI study of acupuncture-induced periaqueductal gray activity in humans.
BOLD fMRI was used to study acupuncture-induced activation (increase in the BOLD signal from undetectable) of the periaqueductal gray (PAG) and two somatosensory cortical areas in seven healthy human subjects. Mechanical stimulation (push-pull) was given to the LI4 (Hoku) acupoint or to a non-acupoint. The stimulation paradigm consisted of 5 runs, each consisting of four 30 s On/30 s OFF periods over 30 min. The scan for each ON period was analyzed individually. The PAG and cortical areas showed different activity patterns. PAG activity was episodic and reliably demonstrated after 20-25 min of stimulation; both cortical areas, however, were active > 90% of the time. Stimulation of a non-acupoint (leg) resulted in reduced levels of PAG and cortical activity.
Department of Radiology, Functional Imaging Laboratory, University of Medicine and Dentistry of New Jersey, New Jersey Medical School, 150 Bergen Street, Newark, NJ 07103, USA. wliu@umdnj.edu
Wen-Ching
WC
Liu
Susan C
SC
Feldman
Dane B
DB
Cook
Dung-Liang
DL
Hung
Teresa
T
Xu
Andrew J
AJ
Kalnin
Barry R
BR
Komisaruk
D019050:Acupressure / Q000379:methods*; D015669:Acupuncture Points; D000328:Adult; D001931:Brain Mapping; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008279:Magnetic Resonance Imaging / Q000379:methods*; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D010100:Oxygen / Q000097:blood; D010487:Periaqueductal Gray / Q000098:blood supply / Q000502:physiology*; D013003:Somatosensory Cortex / Q000098:blood supply / Q000502:physiology
D010100:Oxygen