Modulation of cerebellar activities by acupuncture stimulation: evidence from fMRI study.

摘要: Recent neuroimaging studies have revealed that acupuncture stimulation modulates human central nervous system including cerebral limbic/paralimbic and subcortical structures. Due to the wide intricate connections with cerebrum, we hypothesized anatomically specific areas in cerebellum are also modulated by beyond classical involvement of motor coordination. Functional MRI (fMRI) was used investigate neural substrates responding Pericardium 6 (PC6, Neiguan), an acupoint relevant for management nausea vestibular-related motion sickness. Sham near tactile on skin were given as separate conditions. Psychophysical scores well heart respiratory rates measured during each condition. Acupuncture manipulation PC6, comparison sham conditions, selectively activated left superior frontal gyrus, anterior cingulate dorsomedial nucleus thalamus. Acupuncture-specific evident declive, nodulus, uvula vermis, quadrangular lobule, cerebellar tonsil, semilunar lobule. Negative MR signal changes, often seen analgesic points, not observed present study. Our data suggest serves important activation loci clinical efficacy PC6 may be mediated vestibular neuromatrix.