Lin Ai MD, Presenter: Nothing to Disclose

Jianping Dai MD, Abstract Co-Author: Nothing to Disclose

Baixiao Zhao, Abstract Co-Author: Nothing to Disclose

To investigate the mechanism of analgesic effect of acupuncture in normal subjects’ pain models by observing and comparing the change of signal pre and post acupuncture.

Acupuncture manipulation was performed between two pain-stimulation functional runs at Taichong or non-acupoint on the right foot in 17 subjects. Functional MR scans were done at 3.0 Tesla MR scanner. Pain rating and Deqi sensation were recorded. fMRI data was analyzed using SPM99 on the platform of MatLab.

The activated brain regions by the pain stimulation of hot water included SI, SII, ACC, thalamus, insular, brainstem, cerebellum, basal ganglia, temporal lobe and occipital lobe. After acupuncture at Taichong, activated volume declined in 10 subjects, no obvious change in 3 and increased in 4. While activated volume declined in 8 subjects after acupuncture at sham acupoint, no obvious change in 7 and increased in 2. The Deqi sensation caused by acupuncture included numbness, heaviness, spread to distal part of body from acupoint.

Pain can elicit activation of many brain areas. Acupuncture participates the integration of pain processing in multiple brain regions. fMRI is a helpful tool to investigate acupuncture, especially in high-field 3.0 Tesla MR scanner due to its high sensitivity to detect the change of signal in brain.

Ai, L, Dai, J, Zhao, B, The Analgesic Effect of Acupuncture: A 3.0 Tesla fMRI Study in Normal Subjects.  Radiological Society of North America 2004 Scientific Assembly and Annual Meeting, November 28 - December 3, 2004 ,Chicago IL. http://archive.rsna.org/2004/4412497.html