Functional connectivity changes during migraine treatment with electroacupuncture at Shuaigu (GB8)

Therapeutic applications and potential mechanisms of acupuncture in migraine: A literature review and perspectives

“…Therefore, the group conducted SBA, indicating that the precuneus FCs with key regions in the reward, cognitive control, and DPMS were significantly enhanced after treatment ( Li et al, 2017 ). Another study reported that a diminished FC between the left precuneus and right posterior insula was found after EA treatment and correlated with a similar decline in VAS scores ( Wei et al, 2022 ). The precuneus has been implicated in the pathogenesis of migraine and acupuncture-induced analgesia.…”

“…Focusing on the instant effects of acupuncture, Wei et al suggested connectivity alterations in the right insular subregions during acupuncture treatment at GB8. Increased FC has been reported between the dorsal anterior insula and the right postcentral gyrus, together with decreased FC between the posterior insula and left precuneus, compared with those treated before ( Wei et al, 2022 ). Focusing on the long-term effect of acupuncture, Zhao et al (2014) reported an increased ReHo value in the bilateral insula only in the active acupoint group, which indicated an association between decreased VAS scores.…”

“…A number of studies have shown disrupted DMN connectivity in migraine patients during the interictal period ( Xue et al, 2012 ), including in the anterior cingulate cortex (ACC) ( Zhao et al, 2013 ), prefrontal, and temporal regions ( Tessitore et al, 2013 ). Studies also showed that verum acupuncture analgesia may be achieved by modulating resting-state brain function and modifying the functional connections between the DMN and related brain regions ( Li et al, 2017 ; Zou et al, 2019 ; Wei et al, 2022 ).…”

“…Studies have demonstrated abnormal insular networks, altered ALFF values between migraine patients and HCs ( Zhao et al, 2014 ; Wei et al, 2022 ), and differentiated gray matter volume between chronic and episodic migraine ( Valfrè et al, 2008 ). Focusing on the instant effects of acupuncture, Wei et al suggested connectivity alterations in the right insular subregions during acupuncture treatment at GB8.…”

Changes in brain connectivity linked to multisensory processing of pain modulation in migraine with acupuncture treatment

“…After long-term acupuncture, migraine patients showed increased FC mostly in or within the amygdala, insula, thalamus, precuneus, cingulate gyrus, fronto-parietal network, and default mode network, which mostly correlated with the altered areas above and were involved in the processing of nociceptive information and emotion ( Chang et al, 2021 , Tian et al, 2021 ). Additionally, a few researchers recently reported decreased FC in other areas including the amygdala, insula, thalamus, superior frontal gyrus, and postcentral gyrus ( Tian et al, 2021 , Wei et al, 2022 ). The mechanism of acupuncture efficacy for migraine may be related to the regulation of pain-related brain network, however, the specific way of acupuncture modulation under the heterogeneity of fMRI results remains for further discussion ( Liu et al, 2021 ).…”