Functional magnetic resonance imaging activation of the brain in children: real acupoint versus sham acupoint.
The purpose was to examine the brain activation patterns with acupuncture using real acupoint (Liv3) versus sham acupoint in healthy, sedated children using functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI). Functional magnetic resonance imaging scans of the brain for 10 healthy, sedated children were taken during stimulation of real acupoint (Liv3 [Taichong]) and a nearby sham acupoint in a randomized order, employing twisting and nontwisting methods using a blocked paradigm using a 2.0-T scanner. The functional data were analyzed by using SPM 99. Various regions of the brain were activated in 2 acupoints. However, the pattern was different for the 2 acupoints. We suggest specific cerebral activation patterns with acupuncture might explain some of its therapeutic effect.
Wu
Yun
Y
Department of Neurology, Beijing Children's Hospital, The Capital Medical University, Beijing, China.
Jin
Zhen
Z
Li
Ke
K
Lu
Zhong-Li
ZL
Wong
Virginia
V
Han
Tong-Li
TL
Zheng
Hua
H
Caspi
Opher
O
Liu
Gang
G
Zeng
Ya-Wei
YW
Zou
Li-Ping
LP
D015669:Acupuncture Points; D015670:Acupuncture Therapy / Q000379:methods; D001921:Brain / Q000502:physiology*; D001931:Brain Mapping; D002675:Child, Preschool; D016292:Procedural Sedation; D005260:Female; D005528:Foot; D006304:Health Status; D006801:Humans; D008279:Magnetic Resonance Imaging; D008297:Male