Based On FMRI Technology,a Study On The Correlation Of Brain Activation Areas Of Acupuncture Neiguan Or Gongsun Acupoint

Objective:To observe the variations of brain-activation signals of acupuncture one-side Neiguan(PC6)and Gongsun(SP4)acupoint with Blood oxygenation level-dependent functional magnetic resonance imaging,and to explore the specificity and correlation of brain-activation areas by needling one-side Neiguan(PC6)and Gongsun(SP4)acupoint.To further corroborate the mechanism of general characteristics of Neiguan and Gongsun acupoints,which are two of the eight confluence points in meridian theory in the treatment.To provide a more direct and visualized basis for the correlation of clinical acupoint selection and specificity of acupuncture.Method:A total of 17 healthy volunteers,all right-handers,were selected as subjects based on the inclusion criteria in this trial,and each subject received the acupuncture of Neiguan and Gongsun acupoints twice with an interval of 7days.With block design and Philips 3.0T dual-source and dual-gradient magnetic resonance scanner,we collected the brain Bold-f MRI signal data of acupuncture right Neiguan and Gongsun acupoint.Using SPM12,DPASFA,and XJVIEW software packages,the acquired image data were post-processed and statistically analyzed.Then we obtained the location and voxel values of the brain-activation areas of acupuncture Neiguan and Gongsun acupoints.Using XJVIEW software packages,further we obtained the common brain-activation areas of acupuncture one-side Neiguan and Gongsun acupoint.Results:1.The positive activation areas in brain of acupuncture Neiguan acupoint:the left orbital part of middle frontal gyrus,caudate nucleus,and right angular gyrus.The deactivation areas: the left insula,supramarginal gyrus,opercular part of inferior frontal gyrus,intraorbital superior frontal gyrus,and bilateral middle temporal gyrus.2.The positive activation areas in brain of acupuncture Gongsun acupoint: the right cerebellar area 9,caudate nucleus,anterior cingulate gyrus,middle occipital gyrus,and the left parahippocampal gyrus and middle temporal gyrus.The deactivation areas: the left supramarginal gyrus and the angular gyrus of Inferior parietal.3.The common activation areas in brain of acupuncture Neiguan and Gongsun acupoint: the right caudate nucleus,angular gyrus,middle temporal gyrus,Supramarginal gyrus,and the left dorsolateral of superior frontal gyrus,postcentral gyrus,Supramarginal gyrus.Conclusion:1.The brain-activation areas of acupuncture Neiguan acupoint mainly are insula,frontal lobe,caudate nucleus and inferior parietal lobule.The brain-activation areas of acupuncture Gongsun acupoint mainly are cerebellum,limbic system,caudate nucleus,inferior parietal lobule and occipital lobe.It suggests that the central mechanism of acupuncture Neiguan or Gongsun is probably related to the specific brain-activation regions.2.By acupuncturing Neiguan or Gongsun acupoints,the common brain-activation areas were focused on Postcentral gyrus,caudate nucleus,inferior parietal lobule,prefrontal cortex,which are involved in visceral sensation,cognition,emotion,memory,etc.There are general characteristics in two acupoints’ treatment,which are considered to be related with the central mechanism.3.Under the state of acupuncture,the differences in brain-activation areas between Neiguan and Gongsun acupoints indicate the specificity of the acupoints.