[Study on the effects of acupuncture at acupoint and non-acupoint on functional connectivity of different brain regions with functional magnetic resonance imaging].
OBJECTIVE
To investigate the basis of distinctive function of acupoint through observing the effects of acupuncture at the areas of acupoint and non-acupoint on functional connectivity of different brain regions.


METHODS
Twenty-one healthy volunteers were randomly divided into two groups: 12 cases in the acupoint group and 9 cases in the non-acupoints group. Bilateral Zusanli (ST 36) and its lateral 3-4 mm were punctured with twirling manipulation in the acupoint group and the non-acupoints group respectively. Before and after 25 minutes treatment, data of functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI) scanning was taken from bilateral cingulate gyrus (seed point) to analyze the functional connectivity in both groups.


RESULTS
Brain functional connectivity was demonstrated widely in both acupoint group and non-acupoint group after acupuncture. Comparing with the non-acupoint group, in the acupoint group, brain functional connectivity with posterior cingulate gyrus was found more intensively in the bilateral tonsil, right dentate nucleus, bilateral uvula, left declive and right tuber of cerebellum, as well as in the left inferior frontal gyrus, right middle temporal gyurs, bilateral paracentral lobule, left cingulate cortex, right superior temporal gyrus, right anterior cingulate gyrus etc., however, its connectivity was less in the bilateral medial frontal gyrus and right inferior frontal gyrus.


CONCLUSIONS
Both acupoint and non-acupoint can evoke brain functional connectivity that is similar on the most of regions, but the intensity of this connectivity in the acupoint group is higher than that in the non-acupoint group.
Liu
Bo
B
Department of Radiology, Guangdong Hospital of TCM, Guangzhou 510120, China. doctorlb2006@yahoo.com.cn
Liu
Xian
X
Chen
Jun
J
Long
Yu
Y
Chen
Zhi-guang
ZG
Shang
Xiao-jing
XJ
Mo
Wei-zhao
WZ
Li
Xiao-fan
XF
D026881:Acupuncture; D015669:Acupuncture Points; D000328:Adult; D001921:Brain / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging* / Q000502:physiology*; D001931:Brain Mapping; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008279:Magnetic Resonance Imaging; D008297:Male; D011859:Radiography; D055815:Young Adult