Geon-Ho Jahng PhD, Presenter: Nothing to Disclose

Sung Ho Lee, Abstract Co-Author: Nothing to Disclose

Jun Hyung Lee MD, Abstract Co-Author: Nothing to Disclose

Ka Eun Lee MD, Abstract Co-Author: Nothing to Disclose

Chi-Bong Choi, Abstract Co-Author: Nothing to Disclose

Il Whan Choi, Abstract Co-Author: Nothing to Disclose

Hwi-Yool Kim, Abstract Co-Author: Nothing to Disclose

Chang-Woo Ryu MD, Abstract Co-Author: Nothing to Disclose

Hyun Cheol Kim, Abstract Co-Author: Nothing to Disclose

Dal Mo Yang MD, PHD, Abstract Co-Author: Nothing to Disclose

Functional MRI (fMRI) techniques have been used to study neurophysiology in animals. The purposes of this study were: 1) to investigate the interruption of a neuronal pathway during a passive movement task (PMT) by acupuncture insertion at a certain acupoint, and 2) to compare these effects between normal and Parkinson disease (PD).

Eight healthy beagle dogs were divided into two groups of four dogs each, a normal control (NC) and a PD model (PDM) group. Dogs were injected three times with MPTP (2.5 mg/kg MPTP-HCl) every second day in order to produce PDM. After 6 days from the first injection, anatomical and functional images were obtained on a 3T MRI system. During fMRI, the PMT was performed in the right tarsal joint during three different sessions, which consisted of PMT only (MO), PMT while being inserted with an acupuncture needle at the ST36 acupoint (TA), and PMT while being inserted with the needle at a sham point (SA).

In the NC group, blood oxygenation level-dependent (BOLD) signals during PMT increased in the reticular formation and cerebellum during the MO session, decreased in these areas and in dopaminergic pathway regions during the TA session, and increased in these areas during the SA session. In the PDM group, BOLD signals during PMT increased only in the primary somatosensory area, while the activities of most areas of the dopaminergic pathway decreased during the MO session. BOLD signals slightly decreased in dopaminergic pathway regions during the TA and SA sessions. Compared to the NC group, the PDM group exhibited higher BOLD signal intensities in the ipsilateral motor-sensory area, while lower BOLD signal intensities were found in the contralateral somatosensory area and dopaminergic pathway regions during the MO session. The PDM group exhibited higher BOLD signal intensities during the TA session, but lower BOLD signal intensities during the SA session.

Insertion of an acupuncture needle at a specific acupoint can interrupt the related neuronal pathway. However, the interruption from the specific acupoint decreases its specificity in the PD brain.

The dog model can be useful to investigate PD and acupuncture may be useful to stimulate certain fibers in PD brain in human.

Jahng, G, Lee, S, Lee, J, Lee, K, Choi, C, Choi, I, Kim, H, Ryu, C, Kim, H, Yang, D, Neuronal Pathway Interruption by Needle Insertion in a Certain Area: A Functional MRI Study of a Dog Model of Parkinsons Disease.  Radiological Society of North America 2011 Scientific Assembly and Annual Meeting, November 26 - December 2, 2011 ,Chicago IL. http://archive.rsna.org/2011/11003021.html