Preoperative 3T high field blood oxygen level dependent functional magnetic resonance imaging for glioma involving sensory cortical areas

Background Localization of sensory cortical areas during the operation is essential to preserve the sensory function. Intraoperative direct electrostimulation under awake anesthesia is the golden standard but time-consuming. We applied 3T high field blood oxygen level-dependent （BOLD） functional magnetic resonance imaging （fMRI） to identify the relationship between glioma and cortical sensory areas preoperatively and to guide intraoperative direct electrostimulation for quick and precise localization. Methods Five glioma patients with sensory cortex involvement by or next to the lesion had preoperative BOLD fMRI to determine the spatial relationship of cortical sensory areas to the tumours. Bilateral hand opposite movement was performed by these patients for fMRI. Precentral and postcentral gyri were identified by electrical stimulation during the operation. Karnofsky Performance Status scores of the patients＇ pre- and postoperative and the role of BOLD fMRI were evaluated. Results The cortical sensory areas were all activated in five glioma patients involving postcentral gyrus areas by BOLD fMRI with bilateral hand opposite movement. The detected activation areas corresponded with the results from cortical electrical stimulation. Conclusions The relationship between cortical sensory areas and tumour can be accurately shown by BOLD fMRI before operation. And the information used to make the tumour resection could obtain good clinical results.     

Clinical application of functional magnetic resonance imaging in China

Functional magnetic resonance imaging （fMRI） has been widely used in basic research in the past decade, and more clinically in recent years. Unlike conventional MRI that demonstrates the anatomy and morphology of the brain, fMRI provides the functional information of the brain, including neuronal activation, perfusion, diffusion, metabolism, and fiber connection. Since the publication of the pioneer study by Ogawa et all in 1990, blood oxygenation level dependent （BOLD） technique has been adopted by neuroscientists and psychologists in research into the mechanisms of motion, vision, hearing, language, memory, and functions of the brain. Soon after, clinical studies with BOLD technique were conducted in some fields like surgery （surgical Dlanning）.     

Uhwang Chungsim Won Decreases Blood Oxygen Level-Dependent fMRI Signal Response to A Motor Stimulation Task

Objectives:To evaluate the effect of Uhwang Chungsim Won[UC,Niuhuang Qingxin Pill(牛黄清心丸)]on the blood oxygen level-dependent(BOLD) functional magnetic resonance imaging(fMRI) signal response to a motor stimulation task using a hand grasping paradigm.Methods:Ten healthy right-handed male volunteers were recruited.Their BOLD fMRI signal characteristics during hand grasping were determined before and 1 h after consuming UC.Results:With the administration of UC,BOLD responses to the right hand motor task showed a decrease in both hemispheres including the right cerebellar culmen,right and left medial frontal gyrus,right parahippocampal gyrus,right and left sublobar insula,right and left posterior cinguiate,left precuneus,and right precentral gyrus.Decreased BOLD responses to the left hand motor task were shown in the right lingual gyrus,right cerebellar culmen,left superior temporal gyrus,right and left middle frontal gyrus,and right precentral gyrus after UC administration.Increased BOLD responses to the left hand motor task were shown in the left and right posterior cinguiate,while there was no increased response to the right hand motor task after UC administration.Conclusions:UC administration significantly decreased fMRI BOLD signal responses to hand grasping in most of the brain areas including the primary motor cortex,but it is not clear whether these decreased responses were caused by a decrease in neuronal activities or by an increase in cerebral blood flow due to the cerebral vasodilatory effects of UC.Further studies using positron emission tomography or single photon emission computed tomography are needed to fully elucidate these findings.     

AGE-RELATED CHANGES OF BONE MARROW OF NORMAL ADULT MAN ON DIFFUSION WEIGHTED IMAGING

Objective To investigate the signal intensity and apparent diffusion coefficient （ADC） of bone marrow of normal adult man on diffusion weighted imaging （DWI）.
Methods Fifteen healthy volunteers and thirty-eight patients with benign prostatic hyperplasia or normal prostate were enrolled in this study, with age range 28-82 years old （mean 55.26 ± 18.05 years）. All people were examined with large field DWI on a 3.0T magnetic resonance scanner, which ranges from the top of head to the lower limb. The signal-to-noise ratio （SNR） on the DWI and ADC of lumber vertebra at renal hilum level, left ilium and superior segment of left femur were measured. The measured SNR and ADC value of the above sites were compared by one way analysis of variance and their correlations with age were investigated by Pearson＇s correlation analysis.
Results The SNR of lumber vertebra, left ilium and left femur showed no significant difference （F = 0.271, P = 0.763）. The SNR of lumber vertebra （r = 0.309, P = 0.024） and left ilium （r = 0.359, P = 0.008） showed positive correlation with age, while the SNR of left femur showed no correlation with age （r = -0.163, P = 0.283）. The ADC of lumber vertebra [（0.617 ± 0.177） ×10^-3 mm^2/s] was significantly higher than that of left ilium [（0.404 ± 0.112） ×10^-3 mm^2/s, P 〈 0.001] and left femur [（0.362 ± 0.092） ×10^-3 mm^2/s, P 〈 0.001], while the ADC of left ilium and left femur had no significant difference. The ADC of lumber vertebra, left ilium and left femur showed no correlation with age.
Conclusion Understanding of age-related changes of normal adult bone marrow on DWI is very important to differentiate the normal bone marrow and abnormal lesions.     

Magnetic resonance study of the structure and function of the hippocampus and amygdala in patients with depression

Background The hippocampus and amygdala exhibit structural and functional alterations in patients with depression. The objective of this study was to investigate the structural and functional relationships between these core regions. Methods Based on the severity of their condition, 60 patients and 20 healthy controls were equally divided into four groups （mild group, moderate group, major group and health controls group）, scanned by T1-MR, functional magnetic resonance imaging （fMRI）, and susceptibility weighted imaging （SWI）. Structural image, BOLD image, and SWI image were collected for processing and analysis. The characteristics of the depression and controls were checked by analysis of variance test, and the difference between groups was checked by Dunnett＇s test. Results The volume of hippocampus and amygdala varied with the severity of the condition. The signal obtained under the stimulation of negative events was linearly decreased in the mild, moderate and major groups revealed by fMRI. The length and diameter of the lateral ventricle vein was reduced in the mild group, whereas the number of branches increased. In the moderate and major groups, the reduction in the length, diameter and increase in the number of branches of the lateral ventricle vein were greater. Conclusion The alterations of the volume, fMRI, and cerebral veins in these core regions may account for the causal relationship between structure and function.     

Initial study of biexponential model of intravoxel incoherent motion magnetic resonance imaging in evaluation of the liver fibrosis

Background The diagnosis of liver fibrosis is a difficult task at any time using conventional clinical imaging.Intravoxel incoherent motion （IVIM） can be used to investigate both diffusion and perfusion changes in tissues.This study was designed to determine the value of IVIM in the diagnosis and staging of liver fibrosis.Methods IVIM examinations were performed on a GE 3.0T MR scanner in 25 patients with liver fibrosis and 25 healthy volunteers as the control group.Patients with liver fibrosis diagnosis were confirmed by pathology and staged on a scale of F0-4.The standard ADC values and the values of a biexponential model （slow ADC （Dslow）,fast ADC （Dfast） and fraction of fast ADC （FF）） were measured in three liver regions per person.The mean standard ADC values,Dslow values,Dfast values and FF values from the study group were compared among the right posterior hepatic lobe,right anterior hepatic lobe and medial segment of the left lobe.Receiver Operating Characteristic （ROC） curves and independent-samples t-tests were used to calculate the mean standard ADC values,Dslow values,Dfast values and FF values from the study group and the control group.Spearman rho correlation analysis was used for the stage of liver fibrosis.The liver fibrosis stages between the groups F0-1 and F2-4,the groups F0-2 and F3-4 were compared.Results Among the liver fibrosis,there was no significant difference in the mean standard ADC values,Dslow values,Dfast values,and FF values obtained from the right posterior hepatic lobe,right anterior hepatic lobe and medial segment of the left lobe.Using ROC analysis,the Area Under the Curve （AUC） values of standard ADC,Dslow,Dfast,FF were all between 0.7 to 0.9.The mean standard ADC values,Dslow values,Dfast values and FF values of the liver in the study group were significantly lower than the values in the control group （P ＜0.05）.As the stage of the fibrosis increased,the values decreased by Spearman rho correlation analysis.The mean values （standard ADC,Dslo     

Spontaneous brain activity in chronic smokers revealed by fractional amplitude of low frequency fluctuation analysis: a resting state functional magnetic resonance imaging study

Background Nicotine is primarily rsponsible for the highly addictive properties of cigarettes. Similar to other substances, nicotine dependence is related to many important brain regions, particular in mesolimbic reward circuit. This study was to further reveal the alteration of brain function activity dudng resting state in chronic smokers by fractional amplitude of low frequency fluctuation （fALFF） based on functional magnetic resonance imaging （fMRI）, in order to provide the evidence of neurobiological mechanism of smoking. Methods This case control study involved twenty healthy smokers and nineteen healthy nonsmokers recruited by advertisement. Sociodemographic, smoking related characteristics and fMRI images were collected and the data analyzed. Results Compared with nonsmokers, smokers showed fALFF increased significantly in the left middle occipital gyrus, left limbic lobe and left cerebellum posterior lobe but decreases in the right middle frontal gyrus, right superior temporal gyrus, right extra nuclear, left postcentral gyrus and left cerebellum anterior lobe （cluster size 〉100 voxels）. Compared with light smokers （pack years 〈20）, heavy smokers （pack years 〉20） showed fALFF increased significantly in the right superior temporal gyrus, right precentral gyrus, and right occipital Iobe/cuneus but decreased in the right/left limbic Iobe/cingulate gyrus, right/left frontal lobe/sub gyral, right/left cerebellum posterior lobe （cluster size 〉50 voxels）. Compared with nonsevere nicotine dependent smokers （FagerstrSm test for nicotine dependence, score 〈6）, severe nicotine dependent smokers （score 〉6） showed fALFF increased significantly in the right/left middle frontal gyrus, right superior frontal gyrus and left inferior parietal Iobule but decreased in the left limbic Iobe/cingulate gyrus （cluster size 〉25 voxels）. Conclusions In smokers during rest, the activity of addiction related regions were increased and the activity of smoking feeling, memory, related regions were also changed. The resting state activity changes in many regions were associated with the cumulative amount of nicotine intake and the severity of nicotine dependence.     

Decreased regional homogeneity in major depression as revealed by resting-state functional magnetic resonance imaging

Backgroud  Functional imaging studies indicate abnormal activities in cortico-limbic network in depression during either task or resting state. The present work was to explore the abnormal spontaneous activity shown with regional homogeneity (ReHo) in depression by resting-state functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI).

Methods  Using fMRI, the differences of regional brain activity were measured in resting state in depressed vs. healthy participants. Sixteen participants firstly diagnosed with major depressive disorder and 16 controls were scanned during resting state. A novel method based on ReHo was used to detect spontaneous hemodynamic responses across the whole brain.

Results  ReHo in the left thalamus, left temporal lobe, left cerebellar posterior lobe, and the bilateral occipital lobe was found to be significantly decreased in depression compared to healthy controls in resting state of depression.

Conclusions  Abnormal spontaneous activity exists in the left thalamus, left temporal lobe, left cerebellar posterior lobe, and the bilateral occipital lobe. And the ReHo may be a potential reference in understanding the distinct brain activity in resting state of depression.

     

Data mining-based detection of acupuncture treatment on juvenile myopia

OBJECTIVE:We applied data mining techniques to the study of acupuncture as a treatment for juvenile myopia,with the aim of identifying hidden patterns in the data.METHODS:Fifty patients with juvenile myopia were selected and treated with acupuncture,and data mining was used to analyze the effects of treatment and the influence of behavioral variables.Clustering analysis was used to divide myopia patients into two classifications before acupuncture treatment.Artificial neural network BP algorithm was adopted to analyze the roles of different factors in changes in diopters.An association algorithm was used to analyze factors associated with the subjective experience of acupuncture and average diopter.RESULTS:The two classification results were fully consistent with the understandings of the ophthalmic circles.The duration of using the Internet and watching TV every day was the main factor that affected vision.Acupuncture feelings and therapeutic effect have a strong correlativity.A good or above experience’s score of acupuncture could slow the progression of juvenile myopia.CONCLUSION:Collecting data from patients with juvenile myopia by using data mining can extract hidden potential rules and knowledge from the research evidence.The decision support can be provided to improve the doctor’s clinical acupuncture treatment effects.     

DIAGNOSTIC VALUE OF INTERICTAL DIFFUSION-WEIGHTED IMAGING IN EVALUATION OF INTRACTABLE TEMPORAL LOBE EPILEPSY

Objective To explore the ability of interictal diffusion-weighted imaging （DWI） to localize the temporal lobe of seizure origin and to predict postoperative seizure control in patients with temporal lobe epilepsy （TLE）. Methods Twenty-seven patients with intractable TLE considered for surgery and 19 healthy volunteers were studied with conventional magnetic resonance imaging （MRI） and DWI. Apparent diffusion coefficients （ADCs） of bilateral hippocampi in both TLE patients and control subjects were obtained. Lateralization to either temporal lobe with hippocampal ADC was based on the threshold values derived from±1SD of right/left ratios in normal subjects. And the postoperative pathology was reviewed. Results Hippocampal ADCs were higher on the side of surgery compared with those on the contralateral side as well as the ipsilateral side in control subjects [resected side （109.8±7.3）×10^-5 cm^2/s, contralateral side （91.7±4.7）×10^-5cm^2/s, control subjects （81.6±5.2）×10^-5 cm^2/s, all P 〈 0.01 ]. Right/left hippocampal ADC ratio and conventional MRI lateralized to the operated temporal lobe in 21 of 27 （77.8%） and in 18 of 27 （66.7%） patients. Lateralization to the surgical side was not associated with postoperative seizure control with right/left hippocampal ADC ratio （ P 〉 0.05 ）. Conclusions Conventional MRI is a sensitive method to detect hippocampal sclerosis. Accuracy of the right/left hippocampal ADC ratio for lateralizing to the side of surgery is very high, but it isn＇t a better predictor of surgical outcome.     

Effects of three needling manipulations of the right-side Zusanli (ST 36) on brain using functional magnetic resonance imaging

Objective

To investigate the effects on the brain using three needling manipulations (twirling, lifting-thrusting, and twirling plus lifting-thrusting) when the right-side Zusanli (ST 36) acupoint was stimulated with needles.

食蟹猴左足三里穴针刺fMRI研究

目的 对食蟹猴进行左侧足三里穴针刺的fMRI研究,探讨左侧足三里穴针刺所引起的脑功能活动.方法 食蟹猴6只,采用3.0T MR扫描仪,动物麻醉后进行左侧足三里穴磁共振功能成像扫描.针刺fMRI采用"静息-刺激-静息"设计模式.fMRI-BOLD扫描16层,128 phase.采用SPM2软件处理fMRI实验数据,采用t检验来分析特定任务刺激下脑激活的状态.结果 针刺左侧足三里穴可以观察到左侧中央前回、右侧中央后回、双侧岛叶、楔前叶、右侧颞叶激活;额叶、顶叶、枕叶、扣带回有负激活点.结论 可以在临床使用的MRI设备上对非人灵长类动物进行脑fMRI的研究.针刺食蟹猴左侧足三里穴,fMRI可以显示不同脑组织区域的正激活和负激活.针刺的作用机理可能与中央前回、岛叶及颞上回有较密切关系.针刺足三里穴引起的负激活定位性较差,扣带回的负激活在针刺机理及针灸止痛中可能有重要作用.     

针刺左侧少府穴对大脑前动脉血流速度影响研究

目的：通过对30名健康青年针刺左侧少府穴,并应用经颅脑多普勒超声仪（TCD）观察在针刺5个不同时间点内大脑前动脉（ACA）各参数的变化情况,研究针刺左侧少府穴对大脑前动脉的血流变化的影响,为临床使用该穴及针刺对大脑前动脉的相关研究提供参考依据。方法：随机选取30例健康青年志愿者,将其分为3组：男女混合组30例,男性组15例,女性组15例。针刺左侧少府穴,通过经颅多普勒超声仪（TCD）,探头于双侧颞窗探及大脑前动脉（ACA）,观察在针刺前10 min,进针时、行针时（留针15 min）、出针时（留针30 min,出针后即刻）、出针后10 min分别检测并记录ACA的血流动力学变化。结果：男女混合组：针刺左侧少府穴,在行针时、出针时左侧ACA的Vd与针刺前相比增加,出针时左侧ACA的Vm与针刺前相比明显上升,均有统计学意义（P〈0.05）;男性组：针刺左侧少府穴,出针时右侧ACA的Vm与针刺前相比增加,有统计学意义（P〈0.05）,在行针时左侧ACA的Vd、Vm与针刺前相比明显上升,均有统计学意义（P〈0.05）;女性组：针刺左侧少府穴,行针时左侧ACA的Vd与针刺前相比增加,有统计学意义（P〈0.05）。其它数据变化均无统计学意义（P〉0.05）。结论：男女混合组：针刺左侧少府穴,在行针和出针时使左侧大脑前动脉的舒张期最大血流速度增加。男性组：针刺左侧少府穴,出针时右侧的大脑前动脉的平均血流速度较前增加,行针时左侧的大脑前动脉的舒张期最大血流速度和平均血流速度明显加快。女性组：针刺左侧少府穴,行针时左侧的大脑前动脉的舒张期最大血流速度明显加快。     

The influence of different methods of acupuncture on skin surface perfusion

OBJECTIVE:To compare the effects on the body surface of different kinds of placebo/sham acupuncture with that of traditional needling sensation acupuncture.METHODS:Point Neiguan(PC 6) of 29 healthy subjects,19 males and 10 females,was stimulated with needling sensation,shallow,placebo and deep acupuncture at the non-acupoint.After stimulation with different methods of acupuncture,the change in perfusion of the micrangium in the skin surface around the elbow joint,with Point Quze(PC 3) as its center,was observed with laser Doppler blood-flow imaging.RESULTS:Judging from the absolute value of perfusion of the skin surface micrangium,several methods of acupuncture can cause change in blood flow.The ratio of blood-flow perfusion in the meridian area in and around Quze declined before and after needling insertion in needling sensation acupuncture and shallow acupuncture.This observation did not occur in placebo and non-acupoint acupuncture.Needling sensation acupuncture at an acupoint can relatively reduce the perfusion ofthe micrangium in the projective area of the meridian where the acupoint is located on the body surface(P<0.05),indicating the specificity of meridians.CONCLUSIONS:Stimulation of an acupoint or a point on the body surface with any type of acupuncture can cause change in blood flow in the skin near the needling point.However,the biological mechanism underlying this phenomenon needs to be further explored.     

Regional homogeneity analysis on acupoint specificity with resting-state functional magnetic resonance imaging

Background  The mechanism of acupuncture analgesia in craniotomy has been widely studied. However, the theoretical basis for selection of acupoints has not been examined. In this study, we used the regional homogeneity method blood oxygen level-dependent (BOLD) signals to determine changes in brain activity in response to transcutaneous electrical stimulation on acupoints and non-acupoints in resting state functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI).

Methods  Twelve healthy volunteers were enrolled in this study. BOLD fMRI scanning of the brain was performed for 306 seconds before and 30 minutes after transcutaneous electrical stimulation on acupoints UB63 (Jinmen), LV3 (Tai chong), ST36 (Zusanli), and GB40 (Qiuxu). The procedure was repeated after one week with stimulation on non-acupoints (one was 9 above BL67, the second was 12 above BL67 (Kunlun), the third was 7 above KI3, and the fourth was 10 above KI3 (Taixi)).

Results  The regional homogeneity in the acupoint group was increased in the left thalamus, caudate, putamen, lentiform nucleus (BA19, 30, 39), postcentral gyrus, precentral gyrus (BA3, 4, 30, 32), calcarine fissure, middle temporal gyrus (BA30), right superior temporal gyrus, inferior temporal gyrus (BA38), cuneus, and precuneus (BA7, 19) when compared to the non-acupoint group. The regional homogeneity of the acupoint group was decreased in the left cerebellum posterior lobe, middle frontal gyrus (BA10), double-side precuneus (BA7), and the postcentral gyrus (BA40).

Conclusions  The brain region activated following acupoint stimulation is the ipsilateral pain-related brain region, which may relate to the therapeutic effect of acupuncture on pain relief. Further acupoint stimulation causes different central nervous responses compared to non-acupoint stimulation.

     

针刺得气对寒凝证类痛经模型大鼠效应指标的作用

目的观察针刺三阴交穴"得气"与"未得气"状态对寒凝证类痛经模型大鼠子宫收缩、微循环及扭体反应的影响。方法将96只动情间期雌性SD大鼠随机分为盐水对照组(对照组)、寒凝证类痛经模型组(模型组)、得气组与未得气组,每组24只。采用全身冷冻加雌二醇注射方法制备类痛经大鼠模型。得气组与未得气组造模成功后对大鼠双侧三阴交穴进行针灸刺激,观察大鼠子宫张力不同时间段变化、微循环多时间窗变化及扭体反应。结果与对照组相比,模型组子宫活动度显著增加。得气组的子宫收缩波个数及子宫活动度比模型组显著减少。模型组与未得气组的子宫微血管、毛细血管管径比对照组明显收缩;与模型组相比,得气组在各时间段微血管均扩张,毛细血管管径在针刺后40、50、60 min明显扩张(P0.05)。与模型组相比,得气组扭体潜伏期明显延长、扭体次数减少、扭体评分降低(P0.01)。结论针刺三阴交穴得气能缓解痛经模型大鼠子宫收缩,改善子宫微循环障碍,并具有一定的后续效应。     

针刺外关与外关配伍阳陵泉穴的脑部功能性磁共振成像

目的：基于穴位配伍效应一脑相关假说,观察针刺青年健康志愿者右侧外关穴和外关配伍阳陵泉穴对不同脑区激活效应的功能性磁共振成像（functional magnetic resonance imaging,fMRI）。方法：16名健康志愿者,随机分为外关穴组和外关配伍阳陵泉穴组,每组8名,分别针刺右侧外关和外关配伍阳陵泉穴。运用GE1．5T超导核磁共振系统完成脑部fMRI扫描,所得数据采用感兴趣区（region of interest,ROI）法进行处理和分析。结果：ROI激活几率表明,针刺外关和外关配伍阳陵泉穴均可相对集中（激活几率〉4）激活双侧额叶和双侧顶叶等脑部功能区,但针刺外关和外关配伍阳陵泉穴对左右各脑区激活几率比较,差异无统计学意义。ROI激活点数表明,针刺外关穴能相对集中（激活点点数〉10）激活双侧额叶和双侧顶叶等脑部功能区,且针刺外关穴能相对特异地激活右侧小脑（P〈0．05）,而针刺外关配伍阳陵泉穴则相对特异地激活左侧顶叶、左侧枕叶和双侧基底节区（P〈0．05）。ROI激活强度表明,针刺外关配伍阳陵泉穴对于右侧小脑的激活强度较单纯针刺外关穴高,差异有统计学意义（P〈0．05）。结论：fMRI脑功能成像研究表明,手足少阳经同名经穴配伍能够加强对运动障碍、感觉障碍、平衡障碍的治疗作用,穴位配伍的作用机制与脑功能区活动有关。     

电针对士的宁诱发的大鼠脊髓c-fos表达的影响

目的 探讨循经感传形成过程中脊髓兴奋性的作用。方法 采用免疫组织化学ABC法，观察皮下注射甘氨酸受体拮抗剂士的宁后电针解溪或昆仑穴，对大鼠脊髓背角c—fos表达的影响。结果 皮下注射士的宁可在大鼠脊髓L5诱发中等量的c—fos表达，而皮下注射士的宁后电针解溪或昆仑穴，不仅可使脊髓L5的c—fos表达增强，同时在T12和C8节段也可诱发c—fos表达，其标记最密集的区域主要在背角的Ⅱ、Ⅲ层，Ⅳ层亦有少量分布。结论 在脊髓兴奋性提高的条件下，针感信息可能沿脊髓进行跨节段传递，这可能是循经感传形成的神经生物学基础之一。     

Study on the Regulatory Effect of Electro-acupuncture on Hegu Point （LI4） in Cerebral Response with Functional Magnetic Resonance Imaging

Objective To study, through blood oxygen level dependent functional magnetic resonance imaging (BOLD fMRI), the cerebral activated areas evoked by electro-acupuncturing (EA) the right Hegu point (LI4) or non-acupoint points on the face, and through comparing their similarities and differences, to speculate on the specific cerebral areas activated by stimulating LI4, for exploring the mechanism of its effect in potential clinical application. Methods EA was applied at volunteers’ right LI4 (of 9 subjects in the LI4 group) and facial non-acupoint points (of 5 subjects in the control group), and whole brain 3-dimensional T1 anatomical imaging of high resolution 1 × 1 × 1 mm³ used was performed with clustered stimulatory mode adopted by BOLD fMRI. Pretreatment and statistical t-test were conducted on the data by SPM2 software, then the statistical parameters were superimposed to the 3-dimensional anatomical imaging. Results Data from 3 testees of the 9 subjects in the LI4 group were given up eventually because they were unfit to the demand due to different causes such as movement of patients’ location or machinery factors. Statistical analysis showed that signal activation or deactivation was found in multiple cerebral areas in 6 subjects of LI4 group and 5 subjects of the control group (P<0.01). In the LI4 group, the areas which showed signal activation were: midline nuclear group of thalamus, left supra marginal gyrus, left supra temporal gyrus, right precuneous lobe, bilateral temporal pole, left precentral gyrus and left cerebellum; those which showed signal deactivation were: bilateral hippocampus, parahippocampal gyrus, amygdala body area, rostral side/audal side of cingulate gyrus, prefrontal lobe and occipital lobe as well as left infratemporal gyrus. In the control group, areas which showed signal activation were: bilateral frontal lobe, postcentral gyrus, Reil’s island lobe, primary somato-sensory cortex, cingulate gyrus, superior temporal gyrus, occipital cuneiform gyrus and/or precuneus gyrus and right brainstem; and the area that showed deactivation was left median frontal lobe. Conclusion The effects of EA LI4 in regulating cerebral activities could be displayed and recorded through BOLD fMRI, the distribution of signally deactivated area evoked by EA LI4 was similar to the known distribution of anatomical orientation of pain in brain, and closely related to the anatomic structure of limbic system, which areas are possibly the acupuncture analgesic effect’s cerebral regulating area. Furthermore, activated portion of left central anterior gyrus, which represent the movement of oral facial muscles, and the activated portion of cerebellum are possibly related with the effect of using EA LI4 in treating facial palsy and facial muscle spasm. As for the mechanism of signal deactivation of cerebral activities exhibited in the present study that is unable to be elucidated, it awaits for further research. Supported by the National Natural Science Foundation (No. 90209031)     

针刺关元对寒凝证类痛经大鼠三阴交穴区温度及TXB2／6-keto-PGF1a比值的影响

目的观察针刺关元穴对寒凝证类痛经大鼠三阴交穴区温度(双侧)的影响并探讨其与TXB_2/6-keto-PGF_(1a)有关的机制。方法将大鼠随机分为盐水组、寒凝证类痛经模型组(简称模型组)、针刺关元组。采用全身冷冻法结合苯甲酸雌二醇和缩宫素注射法造模,用红外热成像方法检测各组大鼠左右两侧三阴交穴区0、5、10、20、30、40、50、60 min各时间点温度,同时用ELISA法测定血浆TXB_2和6-keto-PGF_(1a)含量。结果盐水组在基础温度、0~60 min各个时间点,大鼠左右三阴交穴区温度平衡(P0.05);模型组在5~60 min各个时间点,大鼠左右三阴交穴区温度失衡(P0.05,P0.01);针刺关元组在基础温度、0~30 min大鼠左右三阴交穴区温度失衡(P0.05),40~60 min逐渐趋近平衡(P0.05)。与盐水组比较,模型组TXB_2/6-keto-PGF_(1a)比值明显升高(P0.05);与模型组比较,针刺关元组TXB_2/6-keto-PGF_(1a)比值明显降低(P0.05)。结论寒凝证类痛经大鼠左右三阴交穴区温度失衡;针刺关元穴能调节其失衡状态,且调节需要一定的时间过程,在针刺结束后10~40 min作用显著,其内在机制与针刺调节体内血管舒缩物质TXB_2/6-ketoPGF_(1a)比值的失衡有关。