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Meng H, Houston M, Francisco GE, Zhang Y, Li S. Scalp acupuncture guidance for identifying the optimal site for transcranial electrical stimulation of the hand. Exp Brain Res 2024; 242:2083-2091. [PMID: 38963560 DOI: 10.1007/s00221-024-06883-y] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/23/2024] [Accepted: 06/21/2024] [Indexed: 07/05/2024]
Abstract
Transcranial electrical stimulation (tES) often targets the EEG-guided C3/C4 area that may not accurately represent M1 for hand muscles. This study aimed to determine if the neuroanatomy-based scalp acupuncture-guided site (AC) was a more effective spot than the C3 site for neuromodulation. Fifteen healthy subjects received one 20-minute session of high-definition transcranial alternating current stimulation (HD-tACS) intervention (20 Hz at 2 mA) at the AC or C3 sites randomly with a 1-week washout period. Subjects performed ball-squeezing exercises with the dominant hand during the HD-tACS intervention. The AC site was indiscernible from the finger flexor hotspot detected by TMS. At the baseline, the MEP amplitude from finger flexors was greater with less variability at the AC site than at the C3 site. HD-tACS intervention at the AC site significantly increased the MEP amplitude. However, no significant changes were observed after tACS was applied to the C3 site. Our results provide evidence that HD-tACS at the AC site produces better neuromodulation effects on the flexor digitorum superficialis (FDS) muscle compared to the C3 site. The AC localization approach can be used for future tES studies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hao Meng
- Department of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation, McGovern Medical School, University of Texas Health Science Center at Houston, Houston, TX, 77030, USA
- The NeuroRecovery Research Center, TIRR Memorial Hermann Hospital, Houston, TX, 77030, USA
| | - Michael Houston
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, University of Houston, Houston, TX, 77204, USA
| | - Gerard E Francisco
- Department of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation, McGovern Medical School, University of Texas Health Science Center at Houston, Houston, TX, 77030, USA
- The NeuroRecovery Research Center, TIRR Memorial Hermann Hospital, Houston, TX, 77030, USA
| | - Yingchun Zhang
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, Miami Project to Cure Paralysis, Desai Sethi Urology Institute, University of Miami, Coral Gables, FL, 33124, USA
| | - Sheng Li
- Department of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation, McGovern Medical School, University of Texas Health Science Center at Houston, Houston, TX, 77030, USA.
- The NeuroRecovery Research Center, TIRR Memorial Hermann Hospital, Houston, TX, 77030, USA.
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Wu Z, Peng H, Shu Y, Zhang L, Zhang S, Zhang J, Li S, Fan Q, Wei Y, Ming L, Tong J, Zhang Y. Electroacupuncture activates the peroxisome proliferators-activated receptor pathway to improve the phenotype of cerebral palsy. CNS Neurosci Ther 2024; 30:e14876. [PMID: 39049731 PMCID: PMC11269887 DOI: 10.1111/cns.14876] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/08/2024] [Revised: 07/03/2024] [Accepted: 07/11/2024] [Indexed: 07/27/2024] Open
Abstract
AIM This study explores the efficacy of electroacupuncture (EA) in treating cerebral palsy (CP) in Sprague-Dawley (SD) pups, specifically CP animal models, and its molecular mechanisms. METHODS Gait analysis and Y-maze were used to detect the improvement of motor ability and cognitive function of CP rats after EA treatment. Transcription sequencing was used to determine the key pathway for EA to improve the symptoms of CP. PPAR agonists were used to verify the causal relationship between the pathway and the improvement of CP phenotype. RESULTS The motor ability and cognitive function of CP pups were improved after EA treatment. The results of transcriptome sequencing suggest that the improvement of CP phenotype may be caused by the activation of PPAR pathway. PPAR pathway is widely activated in the epithelium of CP pups treated with EA, which is verified by qPCR. Rosiglitazone (Ros), a PPAR agonist, can improve CP phenotype while activating PPAR pathway, which proves the causal relationship between PPAR pathway activation and CP phenotype improvement. CONCLUSION Our study demonstrated behavioral improvements and enhanced cognitive functions in CP models after EA treatment by activating PPAR pathway, suggesting new perspectives for CP rehabilitation, and providing theoretical support for acupuncture treatment of CP.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zhi‐Feng Wu
- Department of PediatricsArmy Medical University Xinqiao HospitalChongqingChina
| | - Hong‐Hao Peng
- Department of PediatricsArmy Medical University Xinqiao HospitalChongqingChina
| | - Yun Shu
- Medical College of Acu‐Moxi and RehabilitationGuangzhou University of Chinese MedicineGuangzhouChina
| | - Li Zhang
- Department of NeurosurgeryChildren's Hospital of Chongqing Medical University, National Clinical Research Center for Child Health and Disorders, Ministry of Education Key Laboratory of Child Development and Disorders, Chongqing Key Laboratory of PediatricsChongqingChina
| | - Si Zhang
- Department of RadiologyArmy Medical University Xinqiao HospitalChongqingChina
| | - Jing‐Yang Zhang
- Department of PediatricsArmy Medical University Xinqiao HospitalChongqingChina
| | - Si‐jie Li
- Department of PediatricsArmy Medical University Xinqiao HospitalChongqingChina
| | - Qiong‐Li Fan
- Department of PediatricsArmy Medical University Xinqiao HospitalChongqingChina
| | - Yun Wei
- Department of PediatricsArmy Medical University Xinqiao HospitalChongqingChina
| | - Li Ming
- Department of PediatricsArmy Medical University Xinqiao HospitalChongqingChina
| | - Jing‐Jing Tong
- Department of Traditional Chinese MedicineArmy Medical University Xinqiao HospitalChongqingChina
| | - Yu‐Ping Zhang
- Department of PediatricsArmy Medical University Xinqiao HospitalChongqingChina
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Jung DH, Lee JH, Lee HJ, Park JW, Jung YJ, Shin HK, Choi BT. Therapeutic effects of a novel electrode for transcranial direct current stimulation in ischemic stroke mice. Theranostics 2024; 14:1325-1343. [PMID: 38389833 PMCID: PMC10879864 DOI: 10.7150/thno.90779] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/05/2023] [Accepted: 01/16/2024] [Indexed: 02/24/2024] Open
Abstract
Rationale: Non-invasive transcranial direct current stimulation (tDCS), a promising stimulation tool to modulate a wide range of brain disorders, has major limitations, such as poor cortical stimulation intensity and focality. We designed a novel electrode for tDCS by conjugating a needle to a conventional ring-based high-definition (HD) electrode to enhance cortical stimulation efficacy. Method: HD-tDCS (43 µA/mm2, charge density 51.6 kC/m2, 20 min) was administered to male C57BL/6J mice subjected to early-stage ischemic stroke. Behavioral tests were employed to determine the therapeutic effects, and the underlying mechanisms of HD-tDCS were determined by performing RNA sequencing and other biomedical analyses. Results: The new HD-tDCS application, showing a higher electric potential and spatial focality based on computational modeling, demonstrated better therapeutic effects than conventional HD-tDCS in alleviating motor and cognitive deficits, with a decrease in infarct volume and inflammatory response. We assessed different electrode configurations in the new HD electrode; the configurations variously showed potent therapeutic effects, ameliorating neuronal death in the peri-infarct region via N-methyl-D-aspartate-dependent sterol regulatory element-binding protein 1 signaling and related inflammatory factors, further alleviating motor and cognitive deficits in stroke. Conclusion: This new HD-tDCS application showed better therapeutic effects than those with conventional HD-tDCS in early-stage stroke via the amelioration of neuronal death in the penumbra. It may be applied in the early stages of stroke to alleviate neurological impairment.
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Affiliation(s)
- Da Hee Jung
- Department of Korean Medical Science, School of Korean Medicine, Pusan National University, Yangsan 50612, Republic of Korea
- Graduate Training Program of Korean Medical Therapeutics for Healthy Aging, Pusan National University, Yangsan 50612, Republic of Korea
| | - Jae Ho Lee
- Department of Korean Medical Science, School of Korean Medicine, Pusan National University, Yangsan 50612, Republic of Korea
- Graduate Training Program of Korean Medical Therapeutics for Healthy Aging, Pusan National University, Yangsan 50612, Republic of Korea
| | - Hong Ju Lee
- Department of Korean Medical Science, School of Korean Medicine, Pusan National University, Yangsan 50612, Republic of Korea
| | - Jang Woo Park
- Korea Radioisotope Center for Pharmaceuticals, Korea Institute of Radiological & Medical Sciences, Seoul 01812, Republic of Korea
| | - Young-Jin Jung
- School of Healthcare and Biomedical Engineering, Chonnam National University, Yeosu 59626, Republic of Korea
| | - Hwa Kyoung Shin
- Department of Korean Medical Science, School of Korean Medicine, Pusan National University, Yangsan 50612, Republic of Korea
- Graduate Training Program of Korean Medical Therapeutics for Healthy Aging, Pusan National University, Yangsan 50612, Republic of Korea
| | - Byung Tae Choi
- Department of Korean Medical Science, School of Korean Medicine, Pusan National University, Yangsan 50612, Republic of Korea
- Graduate Training Program of Korean Medical Therapeutics for Healthy Aging, Pusan National University, Yangsan 50612, Republic of Korea
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Wang C, Wang J, Wu X, Liu T, Wang F, Zhou H, Chen C, Shi L, Ma L, Liu T, Li C. Comprehensive review on sexual dimorphism to improve scalp acupuncture in nervous system disease. CNS Neurosci Ther 2024; 30:e14447. [PMID: 37665197 PMCID: PMC10805401 DOI: 10.1111/cns.14447] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/04/2023] [Revised: 07/31/2023] [Accepted: 08/20/2023] [Indexed: 09/05/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND With the development of modern medicine, the Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) combined with western medicine began to be produced and applied. Scalp acupuncture (SA) as a Chinese medicine based on neurological theory, has a great advantage compared with TCM in the treatment of nervous system diseases. METHOD In this paper, we analyze the physiological and pathological manifestations of sexual dimorphism (SD) to illustrate the necessity of SD treatment. In addition, we review the factors that can affect SD and analyze in physiological structure, function, and pathological neurons. Diseases (pathological basis, pathological manifestations, and incidence) and factors leading to gender differences, which to analyze the possibility of gender differences in SA. RESULT Furthermore, we creatively a new insight of SD-SA and provide the complete SD treatment cases on the basis of the existing SA in different kinds of diseases including stroke, migraine, attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), and depression. CONCLUSION In summary, we believe that it is feasible to improve the clinical effectiveness of SA, which is able to promote the development of SA, and then provides an actionable evidence for the promotion of precision medicine in the future.
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Affiliation(s)
- Chaojie Wang
- Department of First Clinical Medical CollegeHeilongjiang University of Chinese MedicineHeilongjiangChina
| | - Jiening Wang
- Department of RehabilitationShanghai Seventh People's Hospital Affiliated to Shanghai University of Traditional Chinese MedicineShanghaiChina
| | - Xubo Wu
- Department of RehabilitationShanghai Seventh People's Hospital Affiliated to Shanghai University of Traditional Chinese MedicineShanghaiChina
- School of Rehabilitation ScienceShanghai University of Traditional Chinese MedicineShanghaiChina
| | - Tao Liu
- Department of BioengineeringImperial College LondonLondonUK
| | - Feng Wang
- First Affiliated Hospital of Heilongjiang University of Chinese MedicineHarbinChina
| | - Huanxia Zhou
- Department of RehabilitationShanghai Seventh People's Hospital Affiliated to Shanghai University of Traditional Chinese MedicineShanghaiChina
| | - Chen Chen
- Second Affiliated Hospital of Heilongjiang University of Chinese MedicineHarbinChina
| | - Lijuan Shi
- School of Biological Science and Medical EngineeringBeihang UniversityBeijingChina
| | - Lin Ma
- First Affiliated Hospital of Heilongjiang University of Chinese MedicineHarbinChina
| | - Tiantian Liu
- Department of RehabilitationShanghai Seventh People's Hospital Affiliated to Shanghai University of Traditional Chinese MedicineShanghaiChina
| | - Cancheng Li
- School of Biological Science and Medical EngineeringBeihang UniversityBeijingChina
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Kim SS, Kim HS. Comorbidity Patterns and Management in Inpatients with Endocrine Diseases by Age Groups in South Korea: Nationwide Data. J Pers Med 2023; 14:42. [PMID: 38248743 PMCID: PMC10820538 DOI: 10.3390/jpm14010042] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/09/2023] [Revised: 12/25/2023] [Accepted: 12/27/2023] [Indexed: 01/23/2024] Open
Abstract
This study aimed to examine comorbidity associations across age groups of inpatients with endocrine diseases as the primary diagnosis throughout the life cycle to develop an effective management strategy. Data were obtained from the Korean National Hospital Discharge In-depth Injury Survey (KNHDS) from 2006 to 2021, involving 68,515 discharged patients aged ≥ 19 years with a principal diagnosis of endocrine disease. A database was constructed for analysis, extracting general characteristics and comorbidities. Employing R version 4.2.3, the Chi-squared test and the Apriori algorithm of ARM (association rule mining) were used for analyzing general characteristics and comorbidity associations. There were more women (53.1%) than men (46.9%) (p < 0.001, with women (61.2 ± 17.2) having a higher average age than men (58.6 ± 58.6) (p < 0.001). Common comorbidities include unspecified diabetes mellitus; essential (primary) hypertension; unspecified diabetes mellitus; and other disorders of fluid, electrolyte, and acid-base balance. Notably, type 2 diabetes mellitus, disorders of lipoprotein metabolism and other lipidemia, polyneuropathy in diseases classified elsewhere, retinal disorders in diseases classified elsewhere, and essential (primary) hypertension prevail across all age groups. Association rules further highlight specific comorbidities appearing selectively in certain age groups. In conclusion, establishing a management strategy for comorbidities in patients with a primary diagnosis of an endocrine disorder is necessary.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sung-Soo Kim
- Department of Healthcare Management, Cheongju University, Cheongju 28503, Republic of Korea;
| | - Hun-Sung Kim
- Department of Medical Informatics, College of Medicine, The Catholic University of Korea, Seoul 06591, Republic of Korea
- Division of Endocrinology and Metabolism, Department of Internal Medicine, Seoul St. Mary’s Hospital, College of Medicine, The Catholic University of Korea, Seoul 06591, Republic of Korea
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Aurelian S, Ciobanu A, Cărare R, Stoica SI, Anghelescu A, Ciobanu V, Onose G, Munteanu C, Popescu C, Andone I, Spînu A, Firan C, Cazacu IS, Trandafir AI, Băilă M, Postoiu RL, Zamfirescu A. Topical Cellular/Tissue and Molecular Aspects Regarding Nonpharmacological Interventions in Alzheimer's Disease-A Systematic Review. Int J Mol Sci 2023; 24:16533. [PMID: 38003723 PMCID: PMC10671501 DOI: 10.3390/ijms242216533] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/22/2023] [Revised: 11/09/2023] [Accepted: 11/09/2023] [Indexed: 11/26/2023] Open
Abstract
One of the most complex and challenging developments at the beginning of the third millennium is the alarming increase in demographic aging, mainly-but not exclusively-affecting developed countries. This reality results in one of the harsh medical, social, and economic consequences: the continuously increasing number of people with dementia, including Alzheimer's disease (AD), which accounts for up to 80% of all such types of pathology. Its large and progressive disabling potential, which eventually leads to death, therefore represents an important public health matter, especially because there is no known cure for this disease. Consequently, periodic reappraisals of different therapeutic possibilities are necessary. For this purpose, we conducted this systematic literature review investigating nonpharmacological interventions for AD, including their currently known cellular and molecular action bases. This endeavor was based on the PRISMA method, by which we selected 116 eligible articles published during the last year. Because of the unfortunate lack of effective treatments for AD, it is necessary to enhance efforts toward identifying and improving various therapeutic and rehabilitative approaches, as well as related prophylactic measures.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sorina Aurelian
- Faculty of Medicine, University of Medicine and Pharmacy “Carol Davila”, 020022 Bucharest, Romania; (S.A.); (A.C.); (C.P.); (I.A.); (A.S.); (A.-I.T.); (M.B.); (R.-L.P.); (A.Z.)
- Gerontology and Geriatrics Clinic Division, St. Luca Hospital for Chronic Illnesses, 041915 Bucharest, Romania
| | - Adela Ciobanu
- Faculty of Medicine, University of Medicine and Pharmacy “Carol Davila”, 020022 Bucharest, Romania; (S.A.); (A.C.); (C.P.); (I.A.); (A.S.); (A.-I.T.); (M.B.); (R.-L.P.); (A.Z.)
- Department of Psychiatry, ‘Prof. Dr. Alexandru Obregia’ Clinical Hospital of Psychiatry, 041914 Bucharest, Romania
| | - Roxana Cărare
- Faculty of Medicine, University of Southampton, Southampton SO16 7NS, UK;
| | - Simona-Isabelle Stoica
- NeuroRehabilitation Clinic Division, Teaching Emergency Hospital “Bagdasar-Arseni”, 041915 Bucharest, Romania; (S.-I.S.); (A.A.); (I.S.C.)
- Faculty of Midwifery and Nursing, University of Medicine and Pharmacy “Carol Davila”, 020022 Bucharest, Romania
| | - Aurelian Anghelescu
- NeuroRehabilitation Clinic Division, Teaching Emergency Hospital “Bagdasar-Arseni”, 041915 Bucharest, Romania; (S.-I.S.); (A.A.); (I.S.C.)
- Faculty of Midwifery and Nursing, University of Medicine and Pharmacy “Carol Davila”, 020022 Bucharest, Romania
| | - Vlad Ciobanu
- Computer Science Department, Politehnica University of Bucharest, 060042 Bucharest, Romania;
| | - Gelu Onose
- Faculty of Medicine, University of Medicine and Pharmacy “Carol Davila”, 020022 Bucharest, Romania; (S.A.); (A.C.); (C.P.); (I.A.); (A.S.); (A.-I.T.); (M.B.); (R.-L.P.); (A.Z.)
- NeuroRehabilitation Clinic Division, Teaching Emergency Hospital “Bagdasar-Arseni”, 041915 Bucharest, Romania; (S.-I.S.); (A.A.); (I.S.C.)
| | - Constantin Munteanu
- NeuroRehabilitation Clinic Division, Teaching Emergency Hospital “Bagdasar-Arseni”, 041915 Bucharest, Romania; (S.-I.S.); (A.A.); (I.S.C.)
- Faculty of Medical Bioengineering, University of Medicine and Pharmacy “Grigore T. Popa”, 700115 Iași, Romania
| | - Cristina Popescu
- Faculty of Medicine, University of Medicine and Pharmacy “Carol Davila”, 020022 Bucharest, Romania; (S.A.); (A.C.); (C.P.); (I.A.); (A.S.); (A.-I.T.); (M.B.); (R.-L.P.); (A.Z.)
- NeuroRehabilitation Clinic Division, Teaching Emergency Hospital “Bagdasar-Arseni”, 041915 Bucharest, Romania; (S.-I.S.); (A.A.); (I.S.C.)
| | - Ioana Andone
- Faculty of Medicine, University of Medicine and Pharmacy “Carol Davila”, 020022 Bucharest, Romania; (S.A.); (A.C.); (C.P.); (I.A.); (A.S.); (A.-I.T.); (M.B.); (R.-L.P.); (A.Z.)
- NeuroRehabilitation Clinic Division, Teaching Emergency Hospital “Bagdasar-Arseni”, 041915 Bucharest, Romania; (S.-I.S.); (A.A.); (I.S.C.)
| | - Aura Spînu
- Faculty of Medicine, University of Medicine and Pharmacy “Carol Davila”, 020022 Bucharest, Romania; (S.A.); (A.C.); (C.P.); (I.A.); (A.S.); (A.-I.T.); (M.B.); (R.-L.P.); (A.Z.)
- NeuroRehabilitation Clinic Division, Teaching Emergency Hospital “Bagdasar-Arseni”, 041915 Bucharest, Romania; (S.-I.S.); (A.A.); (I.S.C.)
| | - Carmen Firan
- NeuroRehabilitation Compartment, The Physical and Rehabilitation Medicine & Balneology Clinic Division, Teaching Emergency Hospital of the Ilfov County, 022104 Bucharest, Romania;
| | - Ioana Simona Cazacu
- NeuroRehabilitation Clinic Division, Teaching Emergency Hospital “Bagdasar-Arseni”, 041915 Bucharest, Romania; (S.-I.S.); (A.A.); (I.S.C.)
| | - Andreea-Iulia Trandafir
- Faculty of Medicine, University of Medicine and Pharmacy “Carol Davila”, 020022 Bucharest, Romania; (S.A.); (A.C.); (C.P.); (I.A.); (A.S.); (A.-I.T.); (M.B.); (R.-L.P.); (A.Z.)
- NeuroRehabilitation Clinic Division, Teaching Emergency Hospital “Bagdasar-Arseni”, 041915 Bucharest, Romania; (S.-I.S.); (A.A.); (I.S.C.)
| | - Mihai Băilă
- Faculty of Medicine, University of Medicine and Pharmacy “Carol Davila”, 020022 Bucharest, Romania; (S.A.); (A.C.); (C.P.); (I.A.); (A.S.); (A.-I.T.); (M.B.); (R.-L.P.); (A.Z.)
- NeuroRehabilitation Clinic Division, Teaching Emergency Hospital “Bagdasar-Arseni”, 041915 Bucharest, Romania; (S.-I.S.); (A.A.); (I.S.C.)
| | - Ruxandra-Luciana Postoiu
- Faculty of Medicine, University of Medicine and Pharmacy “Carol Davila”, 020022 Bucharest, Romania; (S.A.); (A.C.); (C.P.); (I.A.); (A.S.); (A.-I.T.); (M.B.); (R.-L.P.); (A.Z.)
- NeuroRehabilitation Clinic Division, Teaching Emergency Hospital “Bagdasar-Arseni”, 041915 Bucharest, Romania; (S.-I.S.); (A.A.); (I.S.C.)
| | - Andreea Zamfirescu
- Faculty of Medicine, University of Medicine and Pharmacy “Carol Davila”, 020022 Bucharest, Romania; (S.A.); (A.C.); (C.P.); (I.A.); (A.S.); (A.-I.T.); (M.B.); (R.-L.P.); (A.Z.)
- Gerontology and Geriatrics Clinic Division, St. Luca Hospital for Chronic Illnesses, 041915 Bucharest, Romania
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Jin GY, Jin LL, Jin BX, Zheng J, He BJ, Li SJ. Neural control of cerebral blood flow: scientific basis of scalp acupuncture in treating brain diseases. Front Neurosci 2023; 17:1210537. [PMID: 37650106 PMCID: PMC10464620 DOI: 10.3389/fnins.2023.1210537] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/22/2023] [Accepted: 07/03/2023] [Indexed: 09/01/2023] Open
Abstract
Scalp acupuncture (SA), as a modern acupuncture therapy in the treatment of brain diseases, especially for acute ischemic strokes, has accumulated a wealth of experience and tons of success cases, but the current hypothesized mechanisms of SA therapy still seem to lack significant scientific validity, which may not be conducive to its ultimate integration into mainstream medicine. This review explores a novel perspective about the mechanisms of SA in treating brain diseases based on its effects on cerebral blood flow (CBF). To date, abundant evidence has shown that CBF is significantly increased by stimulating specific SA points, areas or nerves innervating the scalp, which parallels the instant or long-term improvement of symptoms of brain diseases. Over time, the neural pathways that improve CBF by stimulating the trigeminal, the facial, and the cervical nerves have also been gradually revealed. In addition, the presence of the core SA points or areas frequently used for brain diseases can be rationally explained by the characteristics of nerve distribution, including nerve overlap or convergence in certain parts of the scalp. But such characteristics also suggest that the role of these SA points or areas is relatively specific and not due to a direct correspondence between the current hypothesized SA points, areas and the functional zones of the cerebral cortex. The above evidence chain indicates that the efficacy of SA in treating brain diseases, especially ischemic strokes, is mostly achieved by stimulating the scalp nerves, especially the trigeminal nerve to improve CBF. Of course, the mechanisms of SA in treating various brain diseases might be multifaceted. However, the authors believe that understanding the neural regulation of SA on CBF not only captures the main aspects of the mechanisms of SA therapy, but also facilitates the elucidation of other mechanisms, which may be of greater significance to further its clinical applications.
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Affiliation(s)
- Guan-Yuan Jin
- International Institute of Systems Medicine, Inc., Milwaukee, WI, United States
- Ace Acupuncture Clinic of Milwaukee, LLC, Milwaukee, WI, United States
| | - Louis Lei Jin
- The Woodlands Acupuncture and Herbal Clinic, The Woodlands, TX, United States
| | - Bonnie Xia Jin
- Medical College of Wisconsin, Milwaukee, WI, United States
| | - Jin Zheng
- HCA Houston Healthcare Conroe, Conroe, TX, United States
| | - Belinda Jie He
- The Woodlands Acupuncture and Herbal Clinic, The Woodlands, TX, United States
| | - Shi-Jiang Li
- Medical College of Wisconsin, Milwaukee, WI, United States
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Lin D, Gao J, Lu M, Han X, Tan Z, Zou Y, Cui F. Scalp acupuncture regulates functional connectivity of cerebral hemispheres in patients with hemiplegia after stroke. Front Neurol 2023; 14:1083066. [PMID: 37305743 PMCID: PMC10248137 DOI: 10.3389/fneur.2023.1083066] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/28/2022] [Accepted: 05/09/2023] [Indexed: 06/13/2023] Open
Abstract
Background Stroke is a common cause of acquired disability on a global scale. Patients with motor dysfunction after a stroke have a reduced quality of life and suffer from an economic burden. Scalp acupuncture has been proven to be an effective treatment for motor recovery after a stroke. However, the neural mechanism of scalp acupuncture for motor function recovery remains to be researched. This study aimed to investigate functional connectivity (FC) changes in region of interest (ROI) and other brain regions to interpret the neural mechanism of scalp acupuncture. Methods Twenty-one patients were included and randomly divided into patient control (PCs) and scalp acupuncture (SAs) groups with left hemiplegia due to ischemic stroke, and we also selected 20 matched healthy controls (HCs). The PCs were treated with conventional Western medicine, while the SAs were treated with scalp acupuncture (acupuncture at the right anterior oblique line of vertex temporal). All subjects received whole-brain resting-state functional magnetic resonance imaging (rs-fMRI) scan before treatment, and the patients received a second scan after 14 days of treatment. We use the National Institutes of Health Stroke Scale (NIHSS) scores and the analyses of resting-state functional connectivity (RSFC) as the observational indicators. Results The contralateral and ipsilateral cortex of hemiplegic patients with cerebral infarction were associated with an abnormal increase and decrease in basal internode function. An abnormal increase in functional connectivity mainly exists in the ipsilateral hemisphere between the cortex and basal ganglia and reduces the abnormal functional connectivity in the cortex and contralateral basal ganglia. Increased RSFC was observed in the bilateral BA6 area and bilateral basal ganglia and the connectivity between bilateral basal ganglia nuclei improved. However, the RSFC of the conventional treatment group only improved in the unilateral basal ganglia and contralateral BA6 area. The RSFC in the left middle frontal gyrus, superior temporal gyrus, precuneus, and other healthy brain regions were enhanced in SAs after treatment. Conclusion The changes in functional connectivity between the cerebral cortex and basal ganglia in patients with cerebral infarction showed a weakening of the bilateral hemispheres and the enhancement of the connections between the hemispheres. Scalp acupuncture has the function of bidirectional regulation, which makes the unbalanced abnormal brain function state restore balance.
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Affiliation(s)
- Dan Lin
- Department of Neurology, Dongzhimen Hospital, Beijing University of Chinese Medicine, Beijing, China
| | - Jinyang Gao
- Department of Neurology, Dongzhimen Hospital, Beijing University of Chinese Medicine, Beijing, China
| | - Mengxin Lu
- Department of Neurology, Dongzhimen Hospital, Beijing University of Chinese Medicine, Beijing, China
| | - Xiao Han
- Department of Neurology, Dongzhimen Hospital, Beijing University of Chinese Medicine, Beijing, China
| | - Zhongjian Tan
- Department of Radiology, Dongzhimen Hospital, Beijing University of Chinese Medicine, Beijing, China
| | - Yihuai Zou
- Department of Neurology, Dongzhimen Hospital, Beijing University of Chinese Medicine, Beijing, China
| | - Fangyuan Cui
- Department of Neurology, Dongzhimen Hospital, Beijing University of Chinese Medicine, Beijing, China
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