Acupuncture Modulates Temporal Neural Responses in Wide Brain Networks: Evidence from fMRI Study

Abstract

BackgroundAccumulating neuroimaging studies in humans have shown that acupuncture can modulate a widely distributed brain network, large portions of which are overlapped with the pain-related areas. Recently, a striking feature of acupuncture-induced analgesia is found to be associated with its long-last effect, which has a delayed onset and gradually reaches a peak even after acupuncture needling being terminated. Identifying temporal neural responses in these areas that occur at particular time -- both acute and sustained effects during acupuncture processes -- may therefore shed lights on how such peripheral inputs are conducted and mediated through the CNS. In the present study, we adopted a non-repeated event-related (NRER) fMRI paradigm and control theory based approach namely change-point analysis in order to capture the detailed temporal profile of neural responses induced by acupuncture.ResultsOur findings demonstrated that neural activities at the different stages of acupuncture presented distinct temporal patterns, in which consistently positive neural responses were found during the period of acupuncture needling while much more complex and dynamic activities found during a post-acupuncture period. These brain responses had a significant time-dependent effect which showed different onset time and duration of neural activities. The amygdala and perigenual anterior cingulate cortex (pACC), exhibited increased activities during the needling phase while decreased gradually to reach a peak below the baseline. The periaqueductal gray (PAG) and hypothalamus presented saliently intermittent activations across the whole fMRI session. Apart from the time-dependent responses, relatively persistent activities were also identified in the anterior insula and prefrontal cortices. The overall findings indicate that acupuncture may engage differential temporal neural responses as a function of time in a wide range of brain networks.ConclusionsOur study has provided evidence supporting a view that acupuncture intervention involves complex modulations of temporal neural response, and its effect can gradually resolve as a function of time. The functional specificity of acupuncture at ST36 may involve multiple levels of differential activities of a wide range of brain networks, which are gradually enhanced even after acupuncture needle being terminated.

Acupuncture-Related Modulation of Pain-Associated Brain Networks During Electrical Pain Stimulation: A Functional Magnetic Resonance Imaging Study

“…48,[50][51][52]54 Our results are partly consistent with those of other studies, revealing temporal sustaining activity of the anterior insula and the prefrontal cortex beyond the needling procedure. 55,56 We found significant functional cluster in prefrontal brain areas after acupuncture treatment, which supports this theory 896 THEYSOHN ET AL.…”

Fractal characterization of acupuncture-induced spike trains of rat WDR neurons

“…From the magnitude of electromyograms Cui et al reported the cumulative effects of pain relieving after the application of electroacupuncture [1]. Using fMRI method Bai et al revealed the time-dependent effects of MA involved in complex dynamics of a wide brain networks [6]. These studies indicated that the current acupuncture effects depends on, or at least is correlated with those effects produced previously.…”

“…In an fMRI study, Bai et al showed that MA modulations on brain networks are time-evolutionary and last after stimulation [6]. In our previous studies, the changes of complexity under MA were found in human EEG [7], in neuronal activities of rat spinal dorsal root ganglia [8] and rat spinal dorsal horn [9,10].…”

Bee Stings at Sites of Acupuncture as a Potential Therapy for Idiopathic Premature Ovarian Failure: A Pilot Study

“…At small doses of melittin, a biologically active peptide that constitutes about 50 -55% of the total volume of bee venomis an anti-inflammatory agent. It increases capillary permeability and blood flow, interferes with coagulation of blood, modulates the immune system and affects the central nervous system [31][32][33]. Phospholipase A and B in the bee venom interfere with the blood coagulation, improve blood flow, maintain integrity of neural tissues and act as de-toxicating agents [34].…”