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Zhang Y, Zha B, Shi H, Cheng L, Fan Y, Zhang W, Rong Z, Jin Z, Gao N, Yang J, Zhang Q. Acupuncture decreases amygdala functional connectivity in subjective tinnitus. Front Neurol 2022; 13:986805. [DOI: 10.3389/fneur.2022.986805] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/05/2022] [Accepted: 11/15/2022] [Indexed: 12/03/2022] Open
Abstract
IntroductionSubjective tinnitus is a common and intractable ear disease. The effectiveness of acupuncture in the treatment of subjective tinnitus has been confirmed, but its mechanism of action is not clear. The structures of the amygdala (AMYG) are mainly closely related to emotion in the human brain. This study aimed to investigate the changes in functional connectivity (FC) of AMYG in subjective tinnitus to elucidate the neural mechanism of acupuncture.MethodsCorrelation scale scores of 26 patients with subjective tinnitus were collected, including Tinnitus Evaluation Questionnaire (TEQ), Tinnitus Handicap Inventory (THI) and Visual Analog Scale (VAS). Meanwhile, rs-fMRI data were collected before and after acupuncture treatment in the patients, and in healthy controls (HC) matching the patient's gender and age. Then, AMYG was selected as region of interest to perform FC analysis. Finally, FC patterns of AMYG were first compared between patients with subjective tinnitus and HC, and then within subjects pre-acupuncture and post-acupuncture. Simple linear regression models between correlation scale scores and FC-values were established as well.ResultsAcupuncture treatment relieved the severity of tinnitus. With the acupuncture treatment, the total THI score, TEQ score, and VSA score of patients were significantly lower than before (p < 0.05). Compared with HC, FC of tinnitus patients between AMYG and right inferior temporal gyrus and right precuneus significantly decreased before acupuncture (voxel p < 0.001, cluster p < 0.05, corrected with GRF), while FC of tinnitus patients between AMYG and left superior frontal gyrus and right superior temporal gyrus significantly decreased after acupuncture treatment (voxel p < 0.001, cluster p < 0.05, corrected with GRF). FC of tinnitus patients between the AMYG and right superior frontal gyrus and left paracingulate gyrus showed significant decrease after acupuncture treatment (voxel p < 0.001, cluster p < 0.05, corrected with GRF). Besides, the linear regression models of the effect of THI on FC and VAS on FC performed were statistically significant (p < 0.05).DiscussionThe findings demonstrate that acupuncture can decrease FC of AMYG, which could be positively correlated with the relief of tinnitus symptoms. This result suggests that acupuncture stimulation can effectively relieve the severity of tinnitus by decreasing FC of AMYG in subjective tinnitus patients.
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Xiong J, Wang Z, Ruan M, Yao H, Wei M, Sun R, Yang X, Qi W, Liang F. Current status of neuroimaging research on the effects of acupuncture: a bibliometric and visual analyses. Complement Ther Med 2022; 71:102877. [PMID: 35998753 DOI: 10.1016/j.ctim.2022.102877] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/30/2021] [Revised: 06/01/2022] [Accepted: 08/19/2022] [Indexed: 12/14/2022] Open
Abstract
OBJECTIVE To conduct an inductive analysis of neuroimaging studies following the global popularity surrounding the effects of acupuncture. METHODS The relevant works of literature on acupuncture effects-related neuroimaging studies were retrieved from the web of science core collection database from the date of its establishment to 2022. Bibexcel software was used to extract information, such as article numbers, countries, journals, agencies, funding sources and keywords. The VOSviewer software's co-occurrence and clustering module was used for the co-occurrence and cluster analysis of collaborative networks and high frequency keywords, such as authors, institutions and countries. RESULTS Neuroimaging research on the effects of acupuncture began in the 1960 s and has since received the extensive attention of scholars. China, The United States and South Korea conduct more neuroimaging research on the effects of acupuncture than other countries. Academic journals such as Evidence-Based Complementary and Alternative Medicine, Journal of Alternative and Complementary Medicine, Neural Regeneration Research and Acupuncture in Medicine have published the highest number of acupuncture-related neuroimaging articles. Moreover, cluster analysis differentiates high-frequency keywords into six clusters. Furthermore, the use of the keyword 'density atlas' reveals that neuroimaging research on the effects of acupuncture surrounding pain and neurofunctional rehabilitation is currently the research focus. CONCLUSIONS This bibliometric study identifies six important research hot spots: Static brain functional connectivity analysis of acupuncture analgesic effects, key theories on the scientific problems of acupuncture, acupuncture analgesic effect of the placebo effect, the neuroimaging of acupoint ST-36, the value of acupuncture in regulating the autonomic nerves and acupuncture therapy as complementary medicine.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jian Xiong
- Chengdu University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Chengdu 610075, Sichuan, PR China
| | - Ziwen Wang
- Chengdu University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Chengdu 610075, Sichuan, PR China; Clinical Research Center for Acupuncture and Moxibustion in Sichuan Province, Chengdu 610075, Sichuan, PR China
| | - Minmin Ruan
- Guangxi University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Nanning 530001, Guangxi, PR China
| | - Hengshan Yao
- Guangxi University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Nanning 530001, Guangxi, PR China
| | - Miao Wei
- Guangxi University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Nanning 530001, Guangxi, PR China
| | - Ruirui Sun
- Chengdu University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Chengdu 610075, Sichuan, PR China
| | - Xuejie Yang
- Guangxi University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Nanning 530001, Guangxi, PR China
| | - Wenchuan Qi
- Chengdu University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Chengdu 610075, Sichuan, PR China.
| | - Fanrong Liang
- Chengdu University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Chengdu 610075, Sichuan, PR China; Clinical Research Center for Acupuncture and Moxibustion in Sichuan Province, Chengdu 610075, Sichuan, PR China.
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Huang H, Yue X, Huang X, Long W, Kang S, Rao Y, Zeng J, Zuo J, Wang L, Li H, Wang Y, Qiu S, Zhao W. Brain Activities Responding to Acupuncture at ST36 ( zusanli) in Healthy Subjects: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis of Task-Based fMRI Studies. Front Neurol 2022; 13:930753. [PMID: 35968313 PMCID: PMC9373901 DOI: 10.3389/fneur.2022.930753] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/28/2022] [Accepted: 06/23/2022] [Indexed: 11/17/2022] Open
Abstract
Purpose Stomach 36 (ST36, zusanli) is one of the important acupoints in acupuncture. Despite clinical functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI) studies of ST36 acupuncture, the brain activities and the neural mechanism following acupuncture at ST36 remain unclear. Methods Literature searches were conducted on online databases, including MEDLINE, Embase, Cochrane Library, Web of Science, China National Knowledge Infrastructure, Wanfang database, WeiPu database, and China Biology Medicine, for task-based fMRI studies of acupuncture at ST36 in healthy subjects. Brain regions activated by ST36 acupuncture were systematically evaluated and subjected to seed-based d mapping meta-analysis. Subgroup analysis was conducted on control procedures, manual acupuncture, electrical acupuncture (EA), and acupuncture-specific activations. Meta-regression analysis was performed to explore the effects of needle retention time on brain activities following ST36 acupuncture stimulation. The activated brain regions were further decoded and mapped on large-scale functional networks to further decipher the clinical relevance of acupuncturing at ST36. Results A total of sixteen studies, involving a total of 401 right-handed healthy participants, that satisfied the inclusion criteria were included in the present meta-analysis. Meta-analysis showed that acupuncturing on ST36 positively activates the opercular part of the right inferior frontal gyrus (IFG.R), left superior temporal gyrus (STG.L), and right median cingulate/paracingulate gyri (MCG.R) regions. Needle retention time in an acupuncture session positively correlates with the activation of the left olfactory cortex, as shown in meta-regression analysis. Subgroup analysis revealed that EA stimulation may be a source of heterogeneity in the pooled results. Functional network mappings showed that the activated areas were mapped to the auditory network and salience network. Further functional decoding analysis showed that acupuncture on ST36 was associated with pain, secondary somatosensory, sound and language processing, and mood regulation. Conclusion Acupuncture at ST36 in healthy individuals positively activates the opercular part of IFG.R, STG.L, and MCG.R. The left olfactory cortex may exhibit positive needle retention time-dependent activities. Our findings may have clinical implications for acupuncture in analgesia, language processing, and mood disorders. Systematic Review Registration https://inplasy.com/inplasy-2021-12-0035.
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Affiliation(s)
- Haoming Huang
- The First Clinical Medical College, Guangzhou University of Chinese Medicine, Guangzhou, China
- Department of Radiology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Guangzhou University of Chinese Medicine, Guangzhou, China
| | - Xiaomei Yue
- The First Clinical Medical College, Guangzhou University of Chinese Medicine, Guangzhou, China
| | - Xi Huang
- Department of Geriatrics, The First Affiliated Hospital, Guangzhou University of Chinese Medicine, Guangzhou, China
| | - Wenjie Long
- Department of Geriatrics, The First Affiliated Hospital, Guangzhou University of Chinese Medicine, Guangzhou, China
| | - Shangyu Kang
- Department of Radiology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Guangzhou University of Chinese Medicine, Guangzhou, China
| | - Yawen Rao
- Department of Radiology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Guangzhou University of Chinese Medicine, Guangzhou, China
| | - Jingchun Zeng
- Department of Rehabilitation, The First Affiliated Hospital of Guangzhou University of Chinese Medicine, Guangzhou, China
| | - Junling Zuo
- Department of Emergency, The First Affiliated Hospital of Guangzhou University of Chinese Medicine, Guangzhou, China
| | - Lin Wang
- Department of Emergency, The First Affiliated Hospital of Guangzhou University of Chinese Medicine, Guangzhou, China
| | - Hongjuan Li
- The First Comprehensive Department, The Second Affiliated Hospital, Guangzhou University of Chinese Medicine (Guangdong Province Hospital of Chinese Medicine), Guangzhou, China
| | - Yeqing Wang
- Department of Chinese Medicine, The First Affiliated Hospital, School of Clinical Medicine of Guangdong Pharmaceutical University, Guangzhou, China
| | - Shijun Qiu
- Department of Radiology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Guangzhou University of Chinese Medicine, Guangzhou, China
| | - Weixuan Zhao
- Department of Chinese Medicine, The First Affiliated Hospital, School of Clinical Medicine of Guangdong Pharmaceutical University, Guangzhou, China
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The cerebral mechanism of acupuncture for chronic insomnia with gastrointestinal disorder: protocol for a randomized controlled trial. Trials 2021; 22:386. [PMID: 34098994 PMCID: PMC8186179 DOI: 10.1186/s13063-021-05332-3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/19/2020] [Accepted: 05/19/2021] [Indexed: 11/20/2022] Open
Abstract
Background Many patients with chronic insomnia disorder (CID) have gastrointestinal (GI) symptoms. First-line insomnia medications do not treat GI problems. Acupuncture has a comprehensive regulative action on both CID and GI disorder and is receiving increasing attention. Recent studies indicate that both CID and GI diseases may cause abnormal brain activity. However, the neurological mechanism underlying the effect of acupuncture on such diseases is still unclear. The aim of this study is to explore the pathological mechanisms of CID with GI discomfort, as well as the main response characteristics of acupuncture treatment from multiple perspectives using multimodal magnetic resonance imaging (MRI). Methods A total of 60 participants with CID and GI disorders will be randomly divided into two groups (real acupuncture group and sham acupuncture group; ratio of 1:1). Patients will receive 20 sessions (five sessions per week) of real acupuncture treatment or sham acupuncture treatment. The primary outcome is the aggregate score on the Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index. Secondary outcomes are scores on the Gastrointestinal Symptom Rating Scale, Self-Rating Anxiety Scale, and Self-Rating Depression Scale. Multimodal MRI scans and clinical assessments will be performed both at baseline and post-treatment. Another 30 age-, sex-, and education-matched healthy subjects will be recruited as controls and will receive MRI scans and clinical evaluations. Discussion This study aims to provide scientific evidence for the mechanism of acupuncture in treating CID with GI disorder using multimodal MRI imaging data on brain structure, function, and metabolism. Trial registration Chinese Clinical Trial Registry, ChiCTR1800017092 (URL: http://www.chictr.org.cn/showproj.aspx?proj=27173). Registered on July 11, 2018. Supplementary Information The online version contains supplementary material available at 10.1186/s13063-021-05332-3.
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Park JY, Cho SJ, Lee SH, Ryu Y, Jang JH, Kim SN, Park HJ. Peripheral ERK modulates acupuncture-induced brain neural activity and its functional connectivity. Sci Rep 2021; 11:5128. [PMID: 33664320 PMCID: PMC7933175 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-021-84273-y] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/20/2020] [Accepted: 01/25/2021] [Indexed: 12/20/2022] Open
Abstract
Acupuncture has been widely used as a therapeutic intervention, and the brain network plays a crucial role in its neural mechanism. This study aimed to investigate the acupuncture mechanism from peripheral to central by identifying how the peripheral molecular signals induced by acupuncture affect the brain neural responses and its functional connectivity. We confirmed that peripheral ERK activation by acupuncture plays a role in initiating acupuncture-induced peripheral proteomic changes in mice. The brain neural activities in the neocortex, hippocampus, thalamus, hypothalamus, periaqueductal grey, and nucleus of the solitary tract (Sol) were significantly changed after acupuncture, and these were altered by peripheral MEK/MAPK inhibition. The arcuate nucleus and lateral hypothalamus were the most affected by acupuncture and peripheral MEK/MAPK inhibition. The hypothalamic area was the most contributing brain region in contrast task PLS analysis. Acupuncture provoked extensive changes in brain functional connectivity, and the posterior hypothalamus showed the highest betweenness centrality after acupuncture. After brain hub identification, the Sol and cingulate cortex were selected as hub regions that reflect both degree and betweenness centrality after acupuncture. These results suggest that acupuncture activates brain functional connectivity and that peripheral ERK induced by acupuncture plays a role in initiating brain neural activation and its functional connectivity.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ji-Yeun Park
- College of Korean Medicine, Daejeon University, 62 Daehak-ro, Dong-gu, Daejeon, 34520, Republic of Korea
| | - Seong-Jin Cho
- Clinical Medicine Division, Korea Institute of Oriental Medicine, 1672 Yuseong-daero, Yuseong-gu, Daejeon, 34054, Republic of Korea
| | - Soon-Ho Lee
- Acupuncture and Meridian Science Research Center, Kyung Hee University, 26 Kyungheedae-ro, Dongdaemoon-gu, Seoul, 02447, Republic of Korea
| | - Yeonhee Ryu
- Clinical Medicine Division, Korea Institute of Oriental Medicine, 1672 Yuseong-daero, Yuseong-gu, Daejeon, 34054, Republic of Korea
| | - Jae-Hwan Jang
- Acupuncture and Meridian Science Research Center, Kyung Hee University, 26 Kyungheedae-ro, Dongdaemoon-gu, Seoul, 02447, Republic of Korea
| | - Seung-Nam Kim
- College of Korean Medicine, Dongguk University, 32 Dongguk-Ro, Goyang, 10326, Republic of Korea
| | - Hi-Joon Park
- Acupuncture and Meridian Science Research Center, Kyung Hee University, 26 Kyungheedae-ro, Dongdaemoon-gu, Seoul, 02447, Republic of Korea.
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Qiu K, Yin T, Hong X, Sun R, He Z, Liu X, Ma P, Yang J, Lan L, Li Z, Tang C, Cheng S, Liang F, Zeng F. Does the Acupoint Specificity Exist? Evidence from Functional Neuroimaging Studies. Curr Med Imaging 2020; 16:629-638. [PMID: 32723234 DOI: 10.2174/1573405615666190220113111] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/30/2018] [Revised: 01/10/2019] [Accepted: 01/20/2019] [Indexed: 12/12/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Using functional neuroimaging techniques to explore the central mechanism of acupoint specificity, the key of acupuncture theory and clinical practice, has attracted increasing attention worldwide. This review aimed to investigate the current status of functional neuroimaging studies on acupoint specificity and explore the potential influencing factors for the expression of acupoint specificity in neuroimaging studies. METHODS PubMed database was searched from January 1st, 1995 to December 31st, 2016 with the language restriction in English. Data including basic information, methodology and study results were extracted and analyzed from the eligible records. RESULTS Seventy-nine studies were finally enrolled. 65.8% of studies were performed in China, 73.4% of studies were conducted with healthy subjects, 77.2% of studies chose manual acupuncture as the intervention, 86.1% of studies focused on the instant efficacy and 89.9% of studies used functional magnetic resonance imaging as scanning technique. The average sample size was 16 per group. The comparison of verum acupoints and sham acupoints were the main body of acupoint specificity researches. 93.7% of studies obtained the positive results and favored the existence of acupoint specificity. CONCLUSION This review affirmed the existence of acupoint specificity and deemed that the acupoint specificity was relative. Multiple factors such as participants, sample size, acupoint combinations, treatment courses, and types of acupoint could influence the expression of acupoint specificity.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ke Qiu
- Acupuncture and Tuina School/The 3rd Teaching Hospital, Chengdu University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Chengdu, Sichuan 610075, China
| | - Tao Yin
- Acupuncture and Tuina School/The 3rd Teaching Hospital, Chengdu University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Chengdu, Sichuan 610075, China
| | - Xiaojuan Hong
- Acupuncture and Tuina School/The 3rd Teaching Hospital, Chengdu University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Chengdu, Sichuan 610075, China
| | - Ruirui Sun
- Acupuncture and Tuina School/The 3rd Teaching Hospital, Chengdu University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Chengdu, Sichuan 610075, China
| | - Zhaoxuan He
- Acupuncture and Tuina School/The 3rd Teaching Hospital, Chengdu University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Chengdu, Sichuan 610075, China
| | - Xiaoyan Liu
- Acupuncture and Tuina School/The 3rd Teaching Hospital, Chengdu University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Chengdu, Sichuan 610075, China
| | - Peihong Ma
- Acupuncture and Tuina School/The 3rd Teaching Hospital, Chengdu University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Chengdu, Sichuan 610075, China
| | - Jie Yang
- Acupuncture and Tuina School/The 3rd Teaching Hospital, Chengdu University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Chengdu, Sichuan 610075, China
| | - Lei Lan
- Acupuncture and Tuina School/The 3rd Teaching Hospital, Chengdu University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Chengdu, Sichuan 610075, China
| | - Zhengjie Li
- Acupuncture and Tuina School/The 3rd Teaching Hospital, Chengdu University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Chengdu, Sichuan 610075, China
| | - Chenjian Tang
- Acupuncture and Tuina School/The 3rd Teaching Hospital, Chengdu University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Chengdu, Sichuan 610075, China
| | - Shirui Cheng
- Acupuncture and Tuina School/The 3rd Teaching Hospital, Chengdu University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Chengdu, Sichuan 610075, China
| | - Fanrong Liang
- Acupuncture and Tuina School/The 3rd Teaching Hospital, Chengdu University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Chengdu, Sichuan 610075, China
| | - Fang Zeng
- Acupuncture and Tuina School/The 3rd Teaching Hospital, Chengdu University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Chengdu, Sichuan 610075, China
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Rudas J, Martínez D, Castellanos G, Demertzi A, Martial C, Carriére M, Aubinet C, Soddu A, Laureys S, Gómez F. Time-Delay Latency of Resting-State Blood Oxygen Level-Dependent Signal Related to the Level of Consciousness in Patients with Severe Consciousness Impairment. Brain Connect 2020; 10:83-94. [DOI: 10.1089/brain.2019.0716] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/07/2023] Open
Affiliation(s)
- Jorge Rudas
- Institute of Biotechnology, Universidad Nacional de Colombia, Bogotá, Colombia
| | - Darwin Martínez
- Department of Computer Science, Universidad Nacional de Colombia, Bogotá, Colombia
- Department of Computer Science, Universidad Central de Colombia, Bogotá, Colombia
| | - Gabriel Castellanos
- Department of Physiological Sciences, Facultad de Medicina, Pontificia Universidad Javeriana, Bogotá, Colombia
| | - Athena Demertzi
- Physiology of Cognition Research Lab, GIGA-Consciousness, GIGA Institute, University of Liege, Liège, Belgium
| | - Charlotte Martial
- Coma Science Group, GIGA Consciousness, University of Liège, Liège, Belgium
| | - Manon Carriére
- Coma Science Group, GIGA Consciousness, University of Liège, Liège, Belgium
| | - Charlène Aubinet
- Coma Science Group, GIGA Consciousness, University of Liège, Liège, Belgium
| | - Andrea Soddu
- Department of Physics and Astronomy, University of Western Ontario, London, Ontario
| | - Steven Laureys
- Coma Science Group, GIGA Consciousness, University of Liège, Liège, Belgium
| | - Francisco Gómez
- Department of Mathematics, Universidad Nacional de Colombia, Bogotá, Colombia
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Cortical remodeling after electroacupuncture therapy in peripheral nerve repairing model. Brain Res 2018; 1690:61-73. [PMID: 29654733 DOI: 10.1016/j.brainres.2018.04.009] [Citation(s) in RCA: 18] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/27/2017] [Revised: 03/23/2018] [Accepted: 04/06/2018] [Indexed: 01/23/2023]
Abstract
Electroacupuncture (EA) is an alternative therapy for peripheral nerve injury (PNI). The treatment relies on post-therapeutic effect rather than real-time effect. We utilized fMRI to clarify the resting-state alteration caused by sustained effect of EA on peripheral nerve repairing model. Twenty-four rats were divided equally into three groups: normal group, model group and intervention group. Rats of the model and intervention group underwent sciatic nerve transection and direct anastomosis. EA intervention at ST-36 and GB-30 was conducted continuously for 4 months on the intervention group. Behavioral assessments and fMRI were performed 1 month and 4 months after surgery. Intervention group showed significant improvement on the gait parameters max contact mean intensity (MCMI) and thermal withdrawal latency (TWL) than model group. EA-related sustained effects of amplitude of low frequency fluctuations (ALFF) could be described as a remolding pattern of somatosensory area and sensorimotor integration regions which presented higher ALFF in the contralateral hemisphere and lower in the ipsilateral hemisphere than model group. Interhemispheric functional connectivity (FC) analysis showed a significantly lower FC after EA therapy between the largest significantly different clusters in bilateral somatosensory cortices than the model group 4 months after surgery(p < 0.05). And the model group presented significantly higher FC than the normal group at both two time-points (p < 0.01). The sustained effect of EA on peripheral nerve repairing rats appeared to induce both regional and extensive neuroplasticity in bilateral hemispheres. We proposed that such EA-related effect was a reverse of maladaptive plasticity caused by PNI.
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Cai RL, Shen GM, Wang H, Guan YY. Brain functional connectivity network studies of acupuncture: a systematic review on resting-state fMRI. JOURNAL OF INTEGRATIVE MEDICINE-JIM 2017; 16:26-33. [PMID: 29397089 DOI: 10.1016/j.joim.2017.12.002] [Citation(s) in RCA: 78] [Impact Index Per Article: 11.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/23/2017] [Accepted: 06/23/2017] [Indexed: 01/18/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI) is a novel method for studying the changes of brain networks due to acupuncture treatment. In recent years, more and more studies have focused on the brain functional connectivity network of acupuncture stimulation. OBJECTIVE To offer an overview of the different influences of acupuncture on the brain functional connectivity network from studies using resting-state fMRI. SEARCH STRATEGY The authors performed a systematic search according to PRISMA guidelines. The database PubMed was searched from January 1, 2006 to December 31, 2016 with restriction to human studies in English language. INCLUSION CRITERIA Electronic searches were conducted in PubMed using the keywords "acupuncture" and "neuroimaging" or "resting-state fMRI" or "functional connectivity". DATA EXTRACTION AND ANALYSIS Selection of included articles, data extraction and methodological quality assessments were respectively conducted by two review authors. RESULTS Forty-four resting-state fMRI studies were included in this systematic review according to inclusion criteria. Thirteen studies applied manual acupuncture vs. sham, four studies applied electro-acupuncture vs. sham, two studies also compared transcutaneous electrical acupoint stimulation vs. sham, and nine applied sham acupoint as control. Nineteen studies with a total number of 574 healthy subjects selected to perform fMRI only considered healthy adult volunteers. The brain functional connectivity of the patients had varying degrees of change. Compared with sham acupuncture, verum acupuncture could increase default mode network and sensorimotor network connectivity with pain-, affective- and memory-related brain areas. It has significantly greater connectivity of genuine acupuncture between the periaqueductal gray, anterior cingulate cortex, left posterior cingulate cortex, right anterior insula, limbic/paralimbic and precuneus compared with sham acupuncture. Some research had also shown that acupuncture could adjust the limbic-paralimbic-neocortical network, brainstem, cerebellum, subcortical and hippocampus brain areas. CONCLUSION It can be presumed that the functional connectivity network is closely related to the mechanism of acupuncture, and central integration plays a critical role in the acupuncture mechanism.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rong-Lin Cai
- Graduate School of Anhui University of Chinese Medicine, Hefei 230012, Anhui Province, China
| | - Guo-Ming Shen
- Graduate School of Anhui University of Chinese Medicine, Hefei 230012, Anhui Province, China.
| | - Hao Wang
- School of Integrated Traditional Chinese & Western Medicine, Anhui University of Chinese Medicine, Hefei 230012, Anhui Province, China
| | - Yuan-Yuan Guan
- Graduate School of Anhui University of Chinese Medicine, Hefei 230012, Anhui Province, China
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Long X, Huang W, Napadow V, Liang F, Pleger B, Villringer A, Witt CM, Nierhaus T, Pach D. Sustained Effects of Acupuncture Stimulation Investigated with Centrality Mapping Analysis. Front Hum Neurosci 2016; 10:510. [PMID: 27803655 PMCID: PMC5067410 DOI: 10.3389/fnhum.2016.00510] [Citation(s) in RCA: 18] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/02/2016] [Accepted: 09/27/2016] [Indexed: 01/17/2023] Open
Abstract
Acupuncture can have instant and sustained effects, however, its mechanisms of action are still unclear. Here, we investigated the sustained effect of acupuncture by evaluating centrality changes in resting-state functional magnetic resonance imaging after manually stimulating the acupuncture point ST36 at the lower leg or two control point locations (CP1 same dermatome, CP2 different dermatome). Data from a previously published experiment evaluating instant BOLD effects and S2-seed-based resting state connectivity was re-analyzed using eigenvector centrality mapping and degree centrality mapping. These data-driven methods might add new insights into sustained acupuncture effects on both global and local inter-region connectivity (centrality) by evaluating the summary of connections of every voxel. We found higher centrality in parahippocampal gyrus and middle temporal gyrus after ST36 stimulation in comparison to the two control points. These regions are positively correlated to major hubs of the default mode network, which might be the primary network affected by chronic pain. The stronger integration of both regions within the whole-brain connectome after stimulation of ST36 might be a potential contributor to pain modulation by acupuncture. These findings highlight centrality mapping as a valuable analysis for future imaging studies investigating clinically relevant outcomes associated with physiological response to acupuncture stimulation. CLINICAL TRIAL REGISTRATION NCT01079689, ClinicalTrials.gov.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xiangyu Long
- Department of Neurology, Max Planck Institute for Human Cognitive and Brain Sciences Leipzig, Germany
| | - Wenjing Huang
- Institute for Social Medicine, Epidemiology, and Health Economics, Charité - Universitätsmedizin BerlinBerlin, Germany; Acupuncture and Tuina School, The 3rd Teaching Hospital, Chengdu University of Traditional Chinese MedicineChengdu, China
| | - Vitaly Napadow
- Athinoula A. Martinos Center for Biomedical Imaging, Department of Radiology, Massachusetts General Hospital, CharlestownMA, USA; Department of Radiology, Logan University, ChesterfieldMO, USA
| | - Fanrong Liang
- Acupuncture and Tuina School, The 3rd Teaching Hospital, Chengdu University of Traditional Chinese Medicine Chengdu, China
| | - Burkhard Pleger
- Department of Neurology, Max Planck Institute for Human Cognitive and Brain Sciences Leipzig, Germany
| | - Arno Villringer
- Department of Neurology, Max Planck Institute for Human Cognitive and Brain SciencesLeipzig, Germany; The Mind-Brain Institute at Berlin School of Mind and Brain, Charité and Humboldt-UniversitätBerlin, Germany
| | - Claudia M Witt
- Institute for Social Medicine, Epidemiology, and Health Economics, Charité - Universitätsmedizin BerlinBerlin, Germany; Institute for Complementary and Integrative Medicine, University of Zurich and University Hospital ZurichZurich, Switzerland
| | - Till Nierhaus
- Department of Neurology, Max Planck Institute for Human Cognitive and Brain SciencesLeipzig, Germany; The Mind-Brain Institute at Berlin School of Mind and Brain, Charité and Humboldt-UniversitätBerlin, Germany; Neurocomputation and Neuroimaging Unit, Department of Education and Psychology, Freie Universität BerlinBerlin, Germany
| | - Daniel Pach
- Institute for Social Medicine, Epidemiology, and Health Economics, Charité - Universitätsmedizin Berlin Berlin, Germany
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Zheng Y, Wang Y, Lan Y, Qu X, Lin K, Zhang J, Qu S, Wang Y, Tang C, Huang Y. IMAGING OF BRAIN FUNCTION BASED ON THE ANALYSIS OF FUNCTIONAL CONNECTIVITY - IMAGING ANALYSIS OF BRAIN FUNCTION BY FMRI AFTER ACUPUNCTURE AT LR3 IN HEALTHY INDIVIDUALS. AFRICAN JOURNAL OF TRADITIONAL, COMPLEMENTARY, AND ALTERNATIVE MEDICINES 2016; 13:90-100. [PMID: 28480365 PMCID: PMC5412207 DOI: 10.21010/ajtcam.v13i6.14] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/26/2023]
Abstract
Objective: This Study observed the relevant brain areas activated by acupuncture at the Taichong acupoint (LR3) and analyzed the functional connectivity among brain areas using resting state functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI) to explore the acupoint specificity of the Taichong acupoint. Methods: A total of 45 healthy subjects were randomly divided into the Taichong (LR3) group, sham acupuncture group and sham acupoint group. Subjects received resting state fMRI before acupuncture, after true (sham) acupuncture in each group. Analysis of changes in connectivity among the brain areas was performed using the brain functional connectivity method. Results: The right cerebrum temporal lobe was selected as the seed point to analyze the functional connectivity. It had a functional connectivity with right cerebrum superior frontal gyrus, limbic lobe cingulate gyrus and left cerebrum inferior temporal gyrus (BA 37), inferior parietal lobule compared by before vs. after acupuncture at LR3, and right cerebrum sub-lobar insula and left cerebrum middle frontal gyrus, medial frontal gyrus compared by true vs. sham acupuncture at LR3, and right cerebrum occipital lobe cuneus, occipital lobe sub-gyral, parietal lobe precuneus and left cerebellum anterior lobe culmen by acupuncture at LR3 vs. sham acupoint. Conclusion: Acupuncture at LR3 mainly specifically activated the brain functional network that participates in visual function, associative function, and emotion cognition, which are similar to the features on LR3 in tradition Chinese medicine. These brain areas constituted a neural network structure with specific functions that had specific reference values for the interpretation of the acupoint specificity of the Taichong acupoint.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yu Zheng
- School of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Southern Medical University, Guangzhou, Guangdong Province 510515, China
| | - Yuying Wang
- School of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Southern Medical University, Guangzhou, Guangdong Province 510515, China
| | - Yujun Lan
- School of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Southern Medical University, Guangzhou, Guangdong Province 510515, China
| | - Xiaodong Qu
- School of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Southern Medical University, Guangzhou, Guangdong Province 510515, China
| | - Kelin Lin
- School of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Southern Medical University, Guangzhou, Guangdong Province 510515, China
| | - Jiping Zhang
- School of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Southern Medical University, Guangzhou, Guangdong Province 510515, China
| | - Shanshan Qu
- School of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Southern Medical University, Guangzhou, Guangdong Province 510515, China
| | - Yanjie Wang
- School of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Southern Medical University, Guangzhou, Guangdong Province 510515, China
| | - Chunzhi Tang
- Clinical Medical College of Acupuncture, Moxibustion and Rehabilitation, Guangzhou University of Chinese Medicine, Guangzhou, Guangdong Province 510405, China
| | - Yong Huang
- School of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Southern Medical University, Guangzhou, Guangdong Province 510515, China
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12
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The Status of the Quality Control in Acupuncture-Neuroimaging Studies. EVIDENCE-BASED COMPLEMENTARY AND ALTERNATIVE MEDICINE 2016; 2016:3685785. [PMID: 27242911 PMCID: PMC4875991 DOI: 10.1155/2016/3685785] [Citation(s) in RCA: 28] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/19/2015] [Revised: 03/03/2016] [Accepted: 03/27/2016] [Indexed: 12/31/2022]
Abstract
Using neuroimaging techniques to explore the central mechanism of acupuncture gains increasing attention, but the quality control of acupuncture-neuroimaging study remains to be improved. We searched the PubMed Database during 1995 to 2014. The original English articles with neuroimaging scan performed on human beings were included. The data involved quality control including the author, sample size, characteristics of the participant, neuroimaging technology, and acupuncture intervention were extracted and analyzed. The rigorous inclusion and exclusion criteria are important guaranty for the participants' homogeneity. The standard operation process of acupuncture and the stricter requirement for acupuncturist play significant role in quality control. More attention should be paid to the quality control in future studies to improve the reproducibility and reliability of the acupuncture-neuroimaging studies.
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Specific Correlation between the Hegu Point (LI4) and the Orofacial Part: Evidence from an fMRI Study. EVIDENCE-BASED COMPLEMENTARY AND ALTERNATIVE MEDICINE 2015; 2015:585493. [PMID: 26446439 PMCID: PMC4584065 DOI: 10.1155/2015/585493] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/14/2015] [Revised: 07/24/2015] [Accepted: 09/02/2015] [Indexed: 12/30/2022]
Abstract
Acupoint specificity is a foundational concept in acupuncture theory. It is closely related to the function of the acupoint. In this study, we sought to probe the central mechanisms of the specific correlation between LI4 and orofacial part in Bell's palsy patients. In total, 36 patients with left Bell's palsy were divided into three groups in random order, and each group received transcutaneous electrical acupoint stimulation (TEAS) at only one of three acupoints (LI4, ST6, and a sham point). A single-block fMRI design paradigm was applied to separately detect neural activity related to different stages of TEAS (prestimulation resting state, stimulation, and poststimulation resting state). Functional magnetic resonance imaging data were acquired during TEAS. There were extensive neuronal activities in the LI4 and ST6 groups and significant differences between stimulation at real and sham points. Brain regions were activated more by real acupoint TEAS than by sham point TEAS. Brain regions that were activated with LI4 and ST6 were broadly overlapping and adjacent. Our results provide supplementary neuroimaging evidence for the existence of acupoint specificity. These results may confirm the central mechanisms of the specific correlation between the Hegu point and the orofacial part.
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14
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Scheffold BE, Hsieh CL, Litscher G. Neuroimaging and Neuromonitoring Effects of Electro and Manual Acupuncture on the Central Nervous System: A Literature Review and Analysis. EVIDENCE-BASED COMPLEMENTARY AND ALTERNATIVE MEDICINE : ECAM 2015; 2015:641742. [PMID: 26339269 PMCID: PMC4538975 DOI: 10.1155/2015/641742] [Citation(s) in RCA: 21] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/27/2014] [Accepted: 09/15/2014] [Indexed: 11/18/2022]
Abstract
The aim of this review is to provide an overview of the different effects of manual and electroacupuncture on the central nervous system in studies with different neuroimaging interventions. The Database PubMed was searched from 1/1/2000 to 1/6/2014 with restriction to human studies in English language. Data collection for functional magnetic resonance (fMRI) studies was restricted to the period from 1/1/2010 to 1/6/2014 due to a recently published review which included all published randomized and nonrandomized controlled clinical studies as well as observational studies with control groups, no blinding required. Only studies comparing manual or electroacupuncture with sham acupuncture were eligible. All participants were healthy adult men and women. A majority of 25 studies compared manual versus sham, a minority of 7 trials compared electro versus sham and only 1 study compared electro versus manual acupuncture. In 29 out of 33 studies verum acupuncture results were found to present either more or different modulation effects on neurological components measured by neuroimaging and neuromonitoring methods than sham acupuncture. Only four studies reported no effects of verum in comparison to sham acupuncture. Evaluation of the very heterogeneous results shows evidence that verum acupuncture elicits more modulation effects on neurological components than sham acupuncture.
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Affiliation(s)
- Brigitte Elisabeth Scheffold
- Graduate Institute of Acupuncture Science, International Master Program, China Medical University, Taichung 40402, Taiwan
| | - Ching-Liang Hsieh
- Graduate Institute of Integrated Medicine, China Medical University, Taichung 40402, Taiwan
| | - Gerhard Litscher
- China Medical University, Taichung 40402, Taiwan
- Research Unit for Complementary and Integrative Laser Medicine, Research Unit of Biomedical Engineering in Anesthesia and Intensive Care Medicine, and TCM Research Center Graz, Medical University of Graz, 8036 Graz, Austria
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15
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Schizophrenia and Depression: A systematic Review of the Effectiveness and the Working Mechanisms Behind Acupuncture. Explore (NY) 2015; 11:281-91. [PMID: 26007331 DOI: 10.1016/j.explore.2015.04.004] [Citation(s) in RCA: 26] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/21/2014] [Indexed: 02/03/2023]
Abstract
OBJECTIVE This systematic review assessed clinical evidence for the use of acupuncture as an add-on treatment in patients with depression and schizophrenia and for its underlying working mechanisms. DATA SOURCES Four databases (Medline, Scopus, ERIC, and the Cochrane Library) were searched with a cutoff date of March 31, 2014. STUDY SELECTION Systematic reviews and meta-analyses of acupuncture treatment for depression and schizophrenia were considered for inclusion. The scarcity of acupuncture research involving schizophrenia led to the inclusion of randomized controlled trials and case studies. DATA EXTRACTION The primary and secondary aims of this study were to evaluate the effects of acupuncture in treating patients with depression or schizophrenia and the possible working mechanisms underlying acupuncture through a systematic literature review. DATA SYNTHESIS The overall clinical results on using acupuncture to treat depression are promising, but only limited evidence for its effectiveness in treating schizophrenia was found. Acupuncture improves the quality of life, particularly that of sleep, in psychiatric patients. Brain research has revealed that acupuncture has a modulating and normalizing effect on the limbic-paralimbic-neocortical network (LPNN), including the default mode network. Because the LPNN is related to sleep and emotions, this might explain the improved qualities of life and sleep after acupuncture. CONCLUSIONS From the evidence found in this study, acupuncture seems to be an effective add-on treatment in patients with depression and, to a lesser degree, in patients with schizophrenia, but large well-designed studies are needed to confirm that evidence.
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16
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Li K, Zhang Y, Ning Y, Zhang H, Liu H, Fu C, Ren Y, Zou Y. The effects of acupuncture treatment on the right frontoparietal network in migraine without aura patients. J Headache Pain 2015; 16:518. [PMID: 25916336 PMCID: PMC4411327 DOI: 10.1186/s10194-015-0518-4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 38] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/20/2015] [Accepted: 04/14/2015] [Indexed: 12/25/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Functional and structural abnormalities in resting-state brain networks in migraine patients have been confirmed by previous functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI) studies. However, few studies focusing on the neural responses of therapeutic treatment on migraine have been conducted. In this study, we tried to examined the treatment-related effects of standard acupuncture treatment on the right frontoparietal network (RFPN) in migraine patients. METHODS A total of 12 migraine without aura (MWoA) patients were recruited to undergo resting-state fMRI scanning and were rescanned after 4 weeks standard acupuncture treatment. Another 12 matched healthy control (HC) subjects underwent once scanning for comparison. We analyzed the functional connectivity of the RFPN between MWoA patients and HC subjects before treatment and that of the MWoA patients before and after treatment. Diffusion tensor images (DTI) data analyzing was also performed to detect fiber-related treatment responses. RESULTS We observed significantly decreased FC in the RFPN and that the decreased FC could be reversed by acupuncture treatment. The changes of FC in MWoA patients was negatively correlated with the decrease of visual analogue scale (VAS) scores after treatment. This study indicated that acupuncture treatment for MWoA patients was associated with normalizing effects on the intrinsic decreased FC of the RFPN. CONCLUSIONS Our study provided new insights into the treatment-related neural responses in MWoA patients and suggested potential functional pathways for the evaluation of treatment in MWoA patients. Future studies are still in need to confirm the current results and to elucidate the complex neural mechanisms of acupuncture treatment.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kuangshi Li
- Department of Neurology and Stroke Center, Dongzhimen Hospital, The First Affiliated Hospital of Beijing University of Chinese Medicine, Beijing, 100700, China,
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17
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Zhang SQ, Wang YJ, Zhang JP, Chen JQ, Wu CX, Li ZP, Chen JR, Ouyang HL, Huang Y, Tang CZ. Brain activation and inhibition after acupuncture at Taichong and Taixi: resting-state functional magnetic resonance imaging. Neural Regen Res 2015; 10:292-7. [PMID: 25883630 PMCID: PMC4392679 DOI: 10.4103/1673-5374.152385] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 10/22/2014] [Indexed: 11/05/2022] Open
Abstract
Acupuncture can induce changes in the brain. However, the majority of studies to date have focused on a single acupoint at a time. In the present study, we observed activity changes in the brains of healthy volunteers before and after acupuncture at Taichong (LR3) and Taixi (KI3) using resting-state functional magnetic resonance imaging. Fifteen healthy volunteers underwent resting-state functional magnetic resonance imaging of the brain 15 minutes before acupuncture, then received acupuncture at Taichong and Taixi using the nail-pressing needle insertion method, after which the needle was retained in place for 30 minutes. Fifteen minutes after withdrawal of the needle, the volunteers underwent a further session of resting-state functional magnetic resonance imaging, which revealed that the amplitude of low-frequency fluctuation, a measure of spontaneous neuronal activity, increased mainly in the cerebral occipital lobe and middle occipital gyrus (Brodmann area 18/19), inferior occipital gyrus (Brodmann area 18) and cuneus (Brodmann area 18), but decreased mainly in the gyrus rectus of the frontal lobe (Brodmann area 11), inferior frontal gyrus (Brodmann area 44) and the center of the posterior lobe of the cerebellum. The present findings indicate that acupuncture at Taichong and Taixi specifically promote blood flow and activation in the brain areas related to vision, emotion and cognition, and inhibit brain areas related to emotion, attention, phonological and semantic processing, and memory.
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Affiliation(s)
- Shao-Qun Zhang
- School of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Southern Medical University, Guangzhou, Guangdong Province, China
| | - Yan-Jie Wang
- School of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Southern Medical University, Guangzhou, Guangdong Province, China
| | - Ji-Ping Zhang
- School of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Southern Medical University, Guangzhou, Guangdong Province, China
| | - Jun-Qi Chen
- School of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Southern Medical University, Guangzhou, Guangdong Province, China
| | - Chun-Xiao Wu
- School of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Southern Medical University, Guangzhou, Guangdong Province, China
| | - Zhi-Peng Li
- First Clinical School, Southern Medical University, Guangzhou, Guangdong Province, China
| | - Jia-Rong Chen
- First Clinical School, Southern Medical University, Guangzhou, Guangdong Province, China
| | - Huai-Liang Ouyang
- School of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Southern Medical University, Guangzhou, Guangdong Province, China
| | - Yong Huang
- School of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Southern Medical University, Guangzhou, Guangdong Province, China
| | - Chun-Zhi Tang
- School of Acupuncture and Tuina, Guangzhou University of Chinese Medicine, Guangzhou, Guangdong Province, China
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18
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He T, Zhu W, Du SQ, Yang JW, Li F, Yang BF, Shi GX, Liu CZ. Neural mechanisms of acupuncture as revealed by fMRI studies. Auton Neurosci 2015; 190:1-9. [PMID: 25900479 DOI: 10.1016/j.autneu.2015.03.006] [Citation(s) in RCA: 33] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/09/2014] [Revised: 03/20/2015] [Accepted: 03/25/2015] [Indexed: 01/28/2023]
Abstract
As an ancient therapeutic method, acupuncture has been used to treat many diseases as an adjunctive therapy. However, its clinical efficacy remains controversial and the neural mechanisms have not been well understood. Accumulating studies have revealed that fMRI has made it possible to study brain responses to acupuncture. This review aims to provide scientific evidence to support the notion and discuss how these findings contribute to the neural mechanisms of acupuncture.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tian He
- Acupuncture and Moxibustion Department, Beijing Hospital of Traditional Chinese Medicine Affiliated to Capital Medical University, 23 Meishuguanhou Street, Dongcheng District, Beijing 100010, China
| | - Wen Zhu
- Acupuncture and Moxibustion Department, Beijing Hospital of Traditional Chinese Medicine Affiliated to Capital Medical University, 23 Meishuguanhou Street, Dongcheng District, Beijing 100010, China
| | - Si-Qi Du
- Acupuncture and Moxibustion Department, Beijing Hospital of Traditional Chinese Medicine Affiliated to Capital Medical University, 23 Meishuguanhou Street, Dongcheng District, Beijing 100010, China
| | - Jing-Wen Yang
- Acupuncture and Moxibustion Department, Beijing Hospital of Traditional Chinese Medicine Affiliated to Capital Medical University, 23 Meishuguanhou Street, Dongcheng District, Beijing 100010, China
| | - Fang Li
- Acupuncture and Moxibustion Department, Beijing Hospital of Traditional Chinese Medicine Affiliated to Capital Medical University, 23 Meishuguanhou Street, Dongcheng District, Beijing 100010, China
| | - Bo-Feng Yang
- Acupuncture and Moxibustion Department, Beijing Hospital of Traditional Chinese Medicine Affiliated to Capital Medical University, 23 Meishuguanhou Street, Dongcheng District, Beijing 100010, China
| | - Guang-Xia Shi
- Acupuncture and Moxibustion Department, Beijing Hospital of Traditional Chinese Medicine Affiliated to Capital Medical University, 23 Meishuguanhou Street, Dongcheng District, Beijing 100010, China
| | - Cun-Zhi Liu
- Acupuncture and Moxibustion Department, Beijing Hospital of Traditional Chinese Medicine Affiliated to Capital Medical University, 23 Meishuguanhou Street, Dongcheng District, Beijing 100010, China.
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19
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Park JY, Kim YH, Chang WH, Park CH, Shin YI, Kim ST, Pascual-Leone A. Significance of longitudinal changes in the default-mode network for cognitive recovery after stroke. Eur J Neurosci 2014; 40:2715-22. [DOI: 10.1111/ejn.12640] [Citation(s) in RCA: 40] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/24/2013] [Accepted: 04/24/2014] [Indexed: 11/30/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Ji-Young Park
- Samsung Advanced Institute for Health Science and Technology; Sungkyunkwan University; Seoul Korea
| | - Yun-Hee Kim
- Samsung Advanced Institute for Health Science and Technology; Sungkyunkwan University; Seoul Korea
- Department of Physical and Rehabilitation Medicine; Center for Prevention and Rehabilitation; Heart Vascular and Stroke Institute; Samsung Medical Center; Sungkyunkwan University School of Medicine; Seoul Korea
| | - Won Hyuk Chang
- Department of Physical and Rehabilitation Medicine; Center for Prevention and Rehabilitation; Heart Vascular and Stroke Institute; Samsung Medical Center; Sungkyunkwan University School of Medicine; Seoul Korea
| | - Chang-hyun Park
- Department of Physical and Rehabilitation Medicine; Center for Prevention and Rehabilitation; Heart Vascular and Stroke Institute; Samsung Medical Center; Sungkyunkwan University School of Medicine; Seoul Korea
| | - Yong-Il Shin
- Department of Rehabilitation Medicine; Pusan National University School of Medicine; Busan Korea
| | - Sung Tae Kim
- Department of Diagnostic Radiology and Imaging Science; Samsung Medical Center; Sungkyunkwan University School of Medicine; Seoul Korea
| | - Alvaro Pascual-Leone
- Berenson-Allen Center for Noninvasive Brain Stimulation; Department of Neurology; Harvard Medical School and Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center; Boston MA USA
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20
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Differential activation patterns of FMRI in sleep-deprived brain: restoring effects of acupuncture. EVIDENCE-BASED COMPLEMENTARY AND ALTERNATIVE MEDICINE 2014; 2014:465760. [PMID: 25024729 PMCID: PMC4082872 DOI: 10.1155/2014/465760] [Citation(s) in RCA: 20] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/23/2014] [Revised: 05/15/2014] [Accepted: 05/16/2014] [Indexed: 11/17/2022]
Abstract
Previous studies suggested a remediation role of acupuncture in insomnia, and acupuncture also has been used in insomnia empirically and clinically. In this study, we employed fMRI to test the role of acupuncture in sleep deprivation (SD). Sixteen healthy volunteers (8 males) were recruited and scheduled for three fMRI scanning procedures, one following the individual's normal sleep and received acupuncture SP6 (NOR group) and the other two after 24 h of total SD with acupuncture on SP6 (SD group) or sham (Sham group). The sessions were counterbalanced approximately two weeks apart. Acupuncture stimuli elicited significantly different activation patterns of three groups. In NOR group, the right superior temporal lobe, left inferior parietal lobule, and left postcentral gyrus were activated; in SD group, the anterior cingulate cortex, bilateral insula, left basal ganglia, and thalamus were significantly activated while, in Sham group, the bilateral thalamus and left cerebellum were activated. Different activation patterns suggest a unique role of acupuncture on SP6 in remediation of SD. SP6 elicits greater and anatomically different activations than those of sham stimuli; that is, the salience network, a unique interoceptive autonomic circuit, may indicate the mechanism underlying acupuncture in restoring sleep deprivation.
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21
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Maldjian JA, Davenport EM, Whitlow CT. Graph theoretical analysis of resting-state MEG data: Identifying interhemispheric connectivity and the default mode. Neuroimage 2014; 96:88-94. [PMID: 24699016 DOI: 10.1016/j.neuroimage.2014.03.065] [Citation(s) in RCA: 29] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/05/2013] [Revised: 01/27/2014] [Accepted: 03/24/2014] [Indexed: 12/16/2022] Open
Abstract
Interhemispheric connectivity with resting state MEG has been elusive, and demonstration of the default mode network (DMN) yet more challenging. Recent seed-based MEG analyses have shown interhemispheric connectivity using power envelope correlations. The purpose of this study is to compare graph theoretic maps of brain connectivity generated using MEG with and without signal leakage correction to evaluate for the presence of interhemispheric connectivity. Eight minutes of resting state eyes-open MEG data were obtained in 22 normal male subjects enrolled in an IRB-approved study (ages 16-18). Data were processed using an in-house automated MEG processing pipeline and projected into standard (MNI) source space at 7mm resolution using a scalar beamformer. Mean beta-band amplitude was sampled at 2.5second epochs from the source space time series. Leakage correction was performed in the time domain of the source space beam formed signal prior to amplitude transformation. Graph theoretic voxel-wise source space correlation connectivity analysis was performed for leakage corrected and uncorrected data. Degree maps were thresholded across subjects for the top 20% of connected nodes to identify hubs. Additional degree maps for sensory, visual, motor, and temporal regions were generated to identify interhemispheric connectivity using laterality indices. Hubs for the uncorrected MEG networks were predominantly symmetric and midline, bearing some resemblance to fMRI networks. These included the cingulate cortex, bilateral inferior frontal lobes, bilateral hippocampal formations and bilateral cerebellar hemispheres. These uncorrected networks however, demonstrated little to no interhemispheric connectivity using the ROI-based degree maps. Leakage corrected MEG data identified the DMN, with hubs in the posterior cingulate and biparietal areas. These corrected networks demonstrated robust interhemispheric connectivity for the ROI-based degree maps. Graph theoretic analysis of MEG resting state data without signal leakage correction can demonstrate symmetric networks with some resemblance to fMRI networks. These networks however, are an artifact of high local correlation from signal leakage and lack interhemispheric connectivity. Following signal leakage correction, MEG hubs emerge in the DMN, with strong interhemispheric connectivity.
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Affiliation(s)
- Joseph A Maldjian
- Advanced Neuroscience Imaging Research (ANSIR) Laboratory, Wake Forest School of Medicine, Winston-Salem, NC 27157-1088, USA; Department of Radiology, Wake Forest School of Medicine, Winston-Salem, NC 27157-1088, USA; Department of Biomedical Engineering, Wake Forest School of Medicine, Winston-Salem, NC 27157-1088, USA.
| | - Elizabeth M Davenport
- Advanced Neuroscience Imaging Research (ANSIR) Laboratory, Wake Forest School of Medicine, Winston-Salem, NC 27157-1088, USA; Department of Biomedical Engineering, Wake Forest School of Medicine, Winston-Salem, NC 27157-1088, USA; Virginia Tech - Wake Forest School of Biomedical Engineering, Wake Forest School of Medicine, Winston-Salem, NC 27157-1088, USA
| | - Christopher T Whitlow
- Advanced Neuroscience Imaging Research (ANSIR) Laboratory, Wake Forest School of Medicine, Winston-Salem, NC 27157-1088, USA; Department of Radiology, Wake Forest School of Medicine, Winston-Salem, NC 27157-1088, USA; Translational Science Institute, Wake Forest School of Medicine, Winston-Salem, NC 27157-1088, USA
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Acupuncture modulates the functional connectivity of the default mode network in stroke patients. EVIDENCE-BASED COMPLEMENTARY AND ALTERNATIVE MEDICINE 2014; 2014:765413. [PMID: 24734113 PMCID: PMC3963376 DOI: 10.1155/2014/765413] [Citation(s) in RCA: 21] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/28/2013] [Revised: 01/23/2014] [Accepted: 01/27/2014] [Indexed: 01/18/2023]
Abstract
Abundant evidence from previous fMRI studies on acupuncture has revealed significant modulatory effects at widespread brain regions. However, few reports on the modulation to the default mode network (DMN) of stroke patients have been investigated in the field of acupuncture. To study the modulatory effects of acupuncture on the DMN of stroke patients, eight right hemispheric infarction and stable ischemic stroke patients and ten healthy subjects were recruited to undergo resting state fMRI scanning before and after acupuncture stimulation. Functional connectivity analysis was applied with the bilateral posterior cingulate cortices chosen as the seed regions. The main finding demonstrated that the interregional interactions between the ACC and PCC especially enhanced after acupuncture at GB34 in stroke patients, compared with healthy controls. The results indicated that the possible mechanisms of the modulatory effects of acupuncture on the DMN of stroke patients could be interpreted in terms of cognitive ability and motor function recovery.
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23
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Connectomics: a new direction in research to understand the mechanism of acupuncture. EVIDENCE-BASED COMPLEMENTARY AND ALTERNATIVE MEDICINE 2014; 2014:568429. [PMID: 24523823 PMCID: PMC3910072 DOI: 10.1155/2014/568429] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/21/2013] [Accepted: 11/26/2013] [Indexed: 02/05/2023]
Abstract
Acupuncture has been used to treat various disorders in China and some other eastern countries for thousands of years. Nowadays, acupuncture is gradually accepted as an alternative and complementary method in western countries for its undeniable therapeutic effects. However, its central mechanism is still unclear. It is especially difficult to reveal how different regions in the brain influence one another and how the relationship is among these regions responding to acupuncture treatment. Recently, by applying neuroimaging techniques and network theory, acupuncture studies can make further efforts to investigate the influence of acupuncture on regional cerebral functional connectivity (FC) and the modulation on “acupuncture-related” networks. Connectomics appears to be a new direction in research to further understand the central mechanism underlying acupuncture. In this paper, an overview of connectomics application in acupuncture research will be discussed, with special emphasis on present findings of acupuncture and its influence on cerebral FC. Firstly, the connectomics concept and its significance on acupuncture will be outlined. Secondly, the commonly used brain imaging techniques will be briefly introduced. Thirdly, the influence of acupuncture on FC will be discussed in greater detail. Finally, the possible direction in forthcoming research will be reviewed by analyzing the limitation of present studies.
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