title: [Electroacupuncture at Guanyuan (CV 4) and Zhongwan (CV 12) modulates functional connectivity of the brain network in healthy volunteers].
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To observe the specific brain effects of electroacupuncture (EA) stimulation of Guanyuan (CV 4) and Zhongwan (CV 12).
  
  
  METHODS
  Twenty-one healthy volunteers were recruited in the present study. Two silver filiform needles were separately inserted into Guanyuan (OV 4) or Zhongwan (CV 12), and manipulated with uniform reducing-reinforcing method to induce "Deqi". fMRI scan was performed before needling, during needle retention, EA stimulation, and post-EA. Data of fMRI was analyzed by using software SPM 2. The volunteer subjective needling sensations were recorded. The activation, deactivation, short-distance and long-distance functional connectivity maps of different cerebral regions were analyzed by using whole brain correlation analysis.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Comparison between the two acupoints showed that fullness feeling was stronger in CV 4 than in CV 12. EA at CV 4 and CV 12 induced a similar stronger and prevalent deactivation in the ventral medial prefrontal cortex and the anterior cingulated cortex (ACO). The deactivation of the ACC was stronger in the CV 4 group than in the CV 12 group. The default BOLD mode of the brain at rest was modified by needle retention and EA, respectively. The short-distance functional connection brain network was significantly changed after EA. Interestingly, the ventral medial prefrontal cortex and anteroinferior portion of the anterior cingulate cortex in the limbic-paralimbic-neocortical network (LPNN) were involved in the instant post-effects of EA. Relatively smaller differences in the brain functional activity and short-distance functional connectivity were found between these two acupoints.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  EA of CV 4 and CV 12 can modulate short-distance functional connectivity of the LPNN, and have fewer differences in inducing needling sensation and deactivation of ACC, etc.
authors.affiliation: Department of Radiation, Guang'anmen Hospital Affiliated to China Academy of Chinese Medical Sciences, Beijing 100053, China. fangmgh@gmail.com
authors.forename: Ji-liang
authors.initials: JL
authors.lastname: Fang
authors.forename: Yang
authors.initials: Y
authors.lastname: Hong
authors.forename: Xiao-ling
authors.initials: XL
authors.lastname: Wang
authors.forename: He-sheng
authors.initials: HS
authors.lastname: Liu
authors.forename: Yin
authors.initials: Y
authors.lastname: Wang
authors.forename: Jun
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Liu
authors.forename: Lei
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Wang
authors.forename: Chao
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Xue
authors.forename: Ke-hua
authors.initials: KH
authors.lastname: Zhou
authors.forename: Ming
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Song
authors.forename: Bao-yan
authors.initials: BY
authors.lastname: Liu
authors.forename: Bing
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Zhu
mesh_terms: D015669:Acupuncture Points; D000328:Adult; D001921:Brain / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000502:physiology*; D015671:Electroacupuncture; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008279:Magnetic Resonance Imaging; D008297:Male; D009415:Nerve Net / Q000502:physiology*; D011859:Radiography; D012677:Sensation; D055815:Young Adult