title: [Comparison of brain effects of electroacupuncture at Zusanli (ST 36) and Guanyuan (CV 4) shown by fMRI in 21 healthy volunteers].
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To observe different brain effects of electroacupuncture (EA) stimulation of Guanyuan (CV 4) and Zusanli (ST 36) in the normal subjects by using functional magnetic resonance image (fMRI).
  
  
  METHODS
  Twenty-one healthy volunteers were recruited in the present study. fMRI was used to investigate brain responses [blood-oxygenation-level-dependent (BOLD) signals] to EA stimulation of CV 4 and ST 36. A filiform silver needle was inserted into CV 4 or the left ST 36 randomly in two consecutive fMRI tests, and then manipulated with uniform reducing-reinforcing methods to induce "Deqi". fMRI scan was performed before needling, during needle retention, during EA stimulation, and post-EA. Volunteer's subjective needling sensations were recorded after EA. Data of fMRI were analyzed by using software SPM 2 and fMRI was mapped by Degree Centrality Measure method for whole brain correlation. The activation, deactivation, short-distance and long-distance functional connectivity maps of cerebral regions were investigated.
  
  
  RESULTS
  The fullness and numbness feelings of the subjects were stronger during EA at ST 36 than at CV 4. EA at ST 36 or CV 4 induced apparent similar deactivation effects in the anterior cingulate and medial prefrontal cortices. The default mode of the brain at rest state was modified by needle retention and EA stimulation, respectively. The functional brain network was significantly changed after EA. The instant post-acupuncture effects (enhancement of the shortdistance functional connectivity) were mainly found in the ventral medial prefrontal cortex (VMPF) and ventral anterior cingulate cortex (vACC) in the limbic-paralimbic-neocortical network, and there were a little bit stronger signals in ST 36 than in CV 4. CONCLUSION" EA stimulation of CV 4 and ST 36 induces a similar modulation effect in the limbic-medial prefrontal network in healthy subjects.
authors.affiliation: Department of Radiology, 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: Xiao-Ling
authors.initials: XL
authors.lastname: Wang
authors.forename: Yin
authors.initials: Y
authors.lastname: Wang
authors.forename: Yang
authors.initials: Y
authors.lastname: Hong
authors.forename: He-Sheng
authors.initials: HS
authors.lastname: Liu
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 / Q000503:physiopathology*; D001931:Brain Mapping; D015671:Electroacupuncture; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008279:Magnetic Resonance Imaging; D008297:Male; D011859:Radiography; D055815:Young Adult