Purpose:The mechanism of acupuncture analgesia in craniotomy has beenwidely studied. However, the theoretical basis for selection of acupoints has notbeen examined. In this study，we used the regional homogeneity method bloodoxygen level-dependent (BOLD) signals to determine changes in brain activity inresponse to transcutaneous electrical stimulation on acupoints and non-acupoints inresting state functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI)。rn Methods:Twelve healthy volunteers were enrolled in this study. BOLD fMRIscanning of the brain was performed for 306 seconds before and 30 minutes aftertranscutaneous electrical stimulation on acupoints UB63 (Jinmen), LU3 (Taichong), ST36 (Zusanli), and GB40 (Qiuxu). The procedure was repeated after oneweek with stimulation on non-acupoints (one was 9 above BL67, the second was 12above BL67 (Kunlun), the third was 7 above KI3, and the fourth was 10 above K13(Taixi))。rn Results：The regional homogeneity in the acupoint group was increased in the Leftthalamus, caudate, putamen, lentiform nucleus (BA19, 30, 39), postcentral gyros,precentral gyros (BA3, 4, 30, 32), calcarine fissure, middle temporal gyros (BA30),right superior temporal gyros, inferior temporal gyros (BA38), cuneus, andprecuneus (BA7, 19) when compared to the non-acupoint group. The regionalhomogeneity of the acupoint group was decreased in the left cerebellum posteriorlobe, middle frontal gyros (BA10), double-side precuneus (BA7), and thepostcentral gyros (BA40).rn Conclusions:The brain region activated following acupoint stimulation is theipsilateral pain-related brain region, which may relate to the therapeutic effect ofacupuncture on pain relief. Further acupoint stimulation causes different centralnervous responses compared to non-acupoint stimulation。
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