[Observation on relation of acupuncture at Guangming (GB 37) and Taichong (LR 3) with central nervous reaction].
OBJECTIVE
To observe relative effects of acupuncture at Guangming (GB 37) and Taichong (LR 3) in central different regions.


METHODS
Nineteen healthy volunteers were randomly divided into 3 groups: group I (n=7) received visual stimulation and acupuncture at one side; group II (n=6) received visual stimulation and acupuncture at both sides; and group III (n=6) received acupuncture at both sides. Functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI) was used to investigate reactions of the different visual cortexes and relative cerebral regions in acupuncture at Guangming (GB 37) and Taichong (LR 3).


RESULTS
There was no significant change in blood oxygen saturation levels in the visual cortex at visual stimulation and insertion of the needle, but there were changes in blood oxygen saturation level in relative cerebral regions when continuous stimulation was given to one-side or both sides.


CONCLUSIONS
Acupuncture at one-side or both sides can improve blood oxygen saturation level in relative cerebral regions, which is not related with manipulation method and visual stimulation.
Hu
Ka-ming
KM
Affiliated Hospital of Chengdu University of TCM, Sichuan 610072, China. huwang@mail.sc.cninfo.net
Wang
Cheng-ping
CP
Henning
J
J
D015669:Acupuncture Points; D015670:Acupuncture Therapy; D006801:Humans; D008279:Magnetic Resonance Imaging; D009339:Needles