现代针灸应用技术在脑功能成像研究中的应用

针灸已有三千多年的历史,现已经被许多国家接受。各种新型针灸器械不断涌现,并广泛应用于临床。近年来以正电子发射体层摄影(positron emission tomography,PET)和功能磁共振成像(functional magnetic resonance imaging,fMRI)为主要研究方法的脑功能研究取得巨大发展,被广泛应用于神经科学的基础研究,其中利用fMRI和PET研究针刺机制是当前热点问题之一。脑功能成像及其原理1.功能磁共振成像20世纪90年代初问世的脑fMRI具有清楚显示脑功能中枢激活区、检查重复性好、时间和空间分辨力均较高、无电离辐射危害等优点。fMRI应用血氧水…     

针刺治疗轻度认知障碍的fMRI研究进展

轻度认知障碍(MCI)是老年人常见病,主要表现为记忆力、注意力、语言和视空间等认知功能不同程度的下降,被认为是阿尔茨海默病(AD)的前期阶段.近年来,越来越多的研究者通过fMRI技术探讨MCI的发病机制和治疗机制,并已取得重大进展.针刺治疗MCI疗效显著,但其治疗机制尚不明确.通过近年针刺治疗MCI的脑功能fMRI研究...     

针刺太冲穴得气及疼痛激发相对抗的脑功能网络效应fMRI研究

目的:采用磁共振脑功能成像技术,比较针刺太冲穴得气及针刺疼痛时所激发的脑功能网络效应异同。方法:47例初次接受针刺的志愿者参加手针右侧太冲穴fMRI实验。针刺时脑fMRI扫描10min,共2次捻针,各2min,间隔3min。其中17例接受体表触觉刺激作为针刺对照,分为3组:①针刺得气组;②针刺得气合并尖锐性疼痛组(简称针刺疼痛组);③触觉对照组。采用Fisher’s精确检验和t检验分析感觉频率及强度;用AFNI处理fMRI数据,得到激活、负激活脑区;用种子相关分析法,以前扣带回膝部为种子点,分析其与全脑的功能网络联系图谱,并比较得气与疼痛组之间的差异。结果:针刺2组的酸痛、酸感、压感、麻感、钝痛等得气感觉的频率和强度均明显强于触觉刺激组;针刺2组间除尖锐性疼痛及酸痛外,各种感觉差异无统计学意义。针刺得气及疼痛2组均激活了体感及丘脑岛叶皮层,重要的是,针刺得气时在大脑边缘叶-旁边缘叶-新皮层系统(LPNN)产生了较强而广泛的负激活区,加强了负激活区之间的脑功能网络联系。此网络包括杏仁核、海马、旁海马、颞极、前额叶腹内侧回、前扣带回膝及下部、前楔叶内侧回和后扣带回(BA31,23_腹侧核,29,30),另外,小脑蚓部、导水管周围灰质及脑干网状结构也见负激活现象。然而,在针刺疼痛时,这些脑区负激活程度减低且区域缩小,大部分脑区fMRI信号逆转为激活信号,被疼痛激活的脑区之间功能网络明显增强。这些脑区参与了疼痛、镇痛(如感觉、情感、认知、自主性、内源性镇痛)功能调制环路。结合既往研究表明,负激活与脑血氧消耗及血流量下降呈正相关。本结果支持针刺通过调制LPNN和疼痛中枢网络的活动,产生其镇痛、抗焦虑和其他调节效应的假说。结论:针刺得气及针刺得气伴随疼痛产生了相对抗的脑功能网络效应。针刺得气对LPNN及疼痛脑中枢网络(Pain matrix)的负激活效应,可能与针刺镇痛脑中枢机制相关。LPNN和静息态默认网络(Default mode)之间的相似性,提示针刺需通过这一内在脑功能网络系统发挥其广泛的调制作用。     

下腰痛患者针刺治疗脑功能网络的小世界拓扑特性

目的:利用静息态fMRI探讨针刺治疗下腰痛患者脑功能网络的小世界拓扑特性.方法:纳入下腰痛患者20例,针刺委中及大肠俞穴,分别于治疗前及治疗14 d后行静息态fMRI扫描,构建全脑功能网络,分析针刺前后聚类系数(CP)、最短路径长度(LP)、局部信息交换效率(Elocal)和全局信息交换效率(Eglobal)的拓扑特性...     

针刺足三里穴后续效应的动态脑功能网络研究

目的：对针刺足三里穴后多个时间点的脑功能网络动态变化特点进行初步研究。方法：选择18例健康志愿者，分别针刺足三里穴及假穴，针刺采取标准化操作，真、假穴位的针刺深度、刺激方式、刺激程序均相同。采集针刺前及针刺后10、25、45、60 min的fMRI数据。每次fMRI扫描持续6 min，将扫描所获fMRI数据构建成大脑功能网络，计算脑网络的核心脑区，计算其富人俱乐部属性和全脑效率属性、局部效率属性。结果：针刺穴位前，健康受试者的大脑功能网络核心脑区主要分布于脑默认网络、视觉相关皮层、感觉运动皮层和小脑半球。针刺后4个时间点健康受试者的脑功能网络核心脑区仍主要位于上述区域，其中双侧舌回、楔前叶、颞中回及颞上回、右侧距状回、左侧枕中回等脑区与针刺前相同；针刺后60 min的核心脑区分布与针刺前相似，而针刺后10、25、45 min的多个核心脑区与针刺前不同。与针刺前相比，针刺后45 min时健康受试者的大脑核心脑区构成的脑网络富人俱乐部属性和全脑效率属性均显著增加（均P<0.05）。上述改变在针刺假穴组均未发现。结论：针刺足三里穴后健康受试者的脑功能网络属性存在动态变化，其中针刺后45 min的脑网络变化最显著。     

针刺内关-神门干预冠心病伴抑郁中枢机制的可行性探讨

随着神经影像技术的飞速发展,脑功能成像技术及各种MRI分析方法成为针灸领域的研究热点。冠状动脉粥样硬化性心脏病（冠心病）伴抑郁属双心疾病,相关fMRI研究表明,冠心病患者存在与疼痛、情绪相关大脑区域的功能活动异常。既往fMRI研究显示,针刺内关、神门具有调节与情绪、认知等相关脑区功能活动,从而治疗神经、精神系统疾病的作用。故针刺内关-神门可能是冠心病伴抑郁治疗行之有效的方法。基于传统中医理论及fMRI研究结果,探讨针刺内关-神门干预冠心病伴抑郁中枢机制的可行性。     

针刺足三里穴磁共振功能成像的初步探讨

目的　采用磁共振功能成像 (fMRI)技术了解针刺足三里穴时脑的反应 ,为针灸治疗的中枢机制提供实验依据。方法　利用fMRI -BOLD技术 ,获取脑血流变化的实验数据 ,利用感兴趣区 (ROI)分析方法 ,获得针刺足三里穴时脑功能变化正相关系数(CC)的脑功能图。结果　针刺右侧足三里穴引起视丘下部 ,同侧室旁核和双侧颞叶、中央后回脑血流增加 ,且右侧感兴趣区范围较左侧广。结论　针刺足三里穴可引起植物神经中枢和颞叶变化 ,与中医经络学说认为足三里穴有治疗胃肠疾病和改善精神及睡眠状态的作用密切联系。针刺足三里穴时能引起双侧特定脑皮层的反应 ,但以同侧为主 ,表明经络独特感传道的存在 ,且与周围神经不尽相同。     

针灸足三里穴中枢调节机制的PET/CT脑功能成像的实验研究

目的应用PET/CT脑功能成像探讨针灸足三里的中枢调节机制。方法电针刺激8名健康志愿者的右侧足三里,同时行全脑PET/CT功能成像,采用相同技术对同8例受试者行无任何穴位刺激的脑功能成像作为对照组。采用SPM的配对t检验模型得出针刺组与对照组的差异脑功能图。结果(1)针刺诱发的脑功能激活区为:BA11、44、8、9、45以及左侧苍白球、丘脑、小脑;(2)针刺诱发的脑功能抑制区为:BA18、19、25以及右侧内囊后肢、导水管周围灰质。其中苍白球、眶回、额回及小脑的功能激活和枕叶、胼胝体的功能抑制认为是与针刺足三里有关的脑功能反应。结论PET/CT脑功能成像是研究针刺中枢效应的适当方法。     

针刺烦躁焦虑患者太冲穴即刻脑功能变化的fMRI研究

目的:观察针刺太冲穴对烦躁焦虑患者脑功能的调节,为针刺太冲穴治疗中医"郁证"提供临床依据.方法:招募中医烦躁焦虑状态受试者24例,随机平均分成针刺组和对照组各12例,对照组接受一次静息态fMRI扫描,针刺组在针刺太冲穴后即刻行一次静息态fMRI扫描.结果:针刺太冲穴即刻针刺组双侧梭状回低频振荡振幅(ALFF)信号较对照...     

脑功能成像的数据处理

脑功能成像技术是20世纪80～90年代出现的成像技术,主要包括正电子发射断层成像(PET)、单光子发射断层成像(SPECT)、功能核磁共振成像(fMRI)、核磁共振波谱脑磁图(MEG)、光学成像和脑电图(包括诱发电位和脑电地形图)等。与结构成像不同,功能成像所得到的是反映机体功能的信息。从功能成像所得到的信息来看,PET、SPECT和fMRI     

Decreased cerebral blood flow and prognosis of Alzheimer's disease: A multicenter HMPAO-SPECT study

PURPOSE: To determine the usefulness of brain perfusion SPECT for evaluating the severity and progression of Alzheimer's disease (AD). METHODS: Eighty-four AD patients were included. At entry, 99mTc-HMPAO-SPECT, the Mini Mental State Examination (MMSE), Mental Function Impairment Scale (MENFIS), and the Raven Colored Progression Matrix (RCPM) were performed for all 84 patients. During the follow-up periods, two individual MMSE evaluations in 34 patients, two MENFIS evaluations in 30 patients, and two RCPM evaluations in 20 patients were performed. Based on the regions of decreased cerebral blood flow demonstrated on 3D-SSP images of SPECT, the cases were classified as type A (no decrease), type B (decreased blood flow in the parietal or temporal lobe), type C (decreased blood flow in the frontal lobe and parietal or temporal lobe), type Pc (decreased blood flow in posterior cingulate gyrus only), and "other types". The types of decreased blood flow, scores on neuropsychological evaluations, and symptom progression were analyzed. RESULTS: The MENFIS, MMSE, and RCPM scores were poorest in type C patients at entry. The degree of decrease of these scores during the follow-up periods was also greatest in type C. The greatest difference between patients with and without rapid progression in SPECT data of the mild AD patients (MMSE score > or = 24) was in the frontal lobe. CONCLUSION: Decreased blood flow in the frontal lobe of AD patients is correlated not only with reduced cognitive function at the time of the evaluation but with rapid progression in the subsequent clinical course.     

头电针结合高压氧对脑外伤认知障碍患者认知功能的影响

目的探讨头电针结合高压氧对脑外伤认知障碍患者认知功能的治疗作用。方法将210例脑外伤后认知功能障碍患者随机分为治疗组和对照组。治疗前后分别采用NCSE量表和Loewenstein认知功能评定量表评定两组患者的认知功能。结果两组患者治疗前后的NCSE量表和Loewenstein量表评分比较均有显著性差异（P〈0．05），治疗组患者认知功能的改善效果优于对照组（P〈0.01）。结论头电针结合高压氧能更有效地改善脑外伤后认知功能，两者合用具有协同作用。     

Diffusion tensor imaging of normal-appearing white matter in mild cognitive impairment and early Alzheimer disease: preliminary evidence of axonal degeneration in the temporal lobe

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE: Diffusion tensor imaging (DTI) is a sensitive technique for studying cerebral white matter. We used DTI to characterize microstructural white matter changes and their associations with cognitive dysfunction in Alzheimer disease (AD) and mild cognitive impairment (MCI). MATERIALS AND METHODS: We studied elderly subjects with mild AD (n = 6), MCI (n = 11), or normal cognition (n = 8). A standardized clinical and neuropsychological evaluation was conducted on each subject. DTI images were acquired, and fractional anisotropy (FA), axial diffusivity (DA), and radial diffusivity (DR) of normal-appearing white matter (NAWM) in frontal, temporal, parietal, and occipital lobes were determined. These diffusion measurements were compared across the 3 groups, and significant differences were further examined for correlations with tests of cognitive function. RESULTS: Compared with normal controls, AD subjects demonstrated decreased FA and increased DR in the temporal, parietal, and frontal NAWM and decreased DA in temporal NAWM. MCI subjects also showed decreased FA and decreased DA in temporal NAWM, with decreased FA and increased DR in parietal NAWM. Diffusion measurements showed no differences in occipital NAWM. Across all subjects, temporal lobe FA and DR correlated with episodic memory, frontal FA and DR correlated with executive function, and parietal DR significantly correlated with visuospatial ability. CONCLUSIONS: We found evidence for functionally relevant microstructural changes in the NAWM of patients with AD and MCI. These changes were present in brain regions serving higher cortical functions, but not in regions serving primary functions, and are consistent with a hypothesized loss of axonal processes in the temporal lobe.     

Lobar distribution of changes in gray matter and white matter in memory clinic patients: detected using magnetization transfer imaging

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE: Previous studies have shown involvement of both gray matter (GM) and white matter (WM) in mild cognitive impairment (MCI) and Alzheimer disease (AD). In this study, we assessed the lobar distribution of the GM and WM pathology over the brain and the association of lobar distribution with global cognitive decline. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Fifty-five patients with AD, 19 patients with MCI, and 43 subjects with normal cognitive function participated in this study. GM and WM were segmented on dual fast spin-echo and fluid-attenuated inversion recovery MR images. A custom template representing anatomic areas was applied. Magnetization transfer imaging (MTI) peak height and mean magnetization transfer ratio (MTR) provided measures for structural brain damage. RESULTS: Both mean MTR and MTI peak height showed that patients with AD had more structural brain damage in the GM of all lobes compared with controls. Patients with MCI had lower GM peak height compared with controls for the temporal and frontal lobe. WM peak height was lower for all lobes investigated for patients with both AD and MCI. WM mean MTR was lower in the frontal, parietal, and temporal lobes for patients with AD compared with controls. Age and both temporal GM peak height and mean MTR were the only parameters that predicted cognition. CONCLUSION: This study shows that in addition to more focal GM MTI changes in the temporal and frontal lobes, widespread WM changes are present in the earliest stages of AD. This might point to an important role for WM pathology in the earliest stage of AD.     

Alzheimer病与轻度认知功能障碍的脑SPECT显像

目的探讨脑SPECT显像对阿尔茨海默病（AD）和轻度认知功能障碍（MCI）的早期诊断及预后判定价值。方法对33例AD、17例MCI患者和12例认知正常者进行SPECT检查及随访研究。结果AD组典型表现是双侧颞顶叶低灌注，在颞叶、顶叶、额叶、丘脑和扣带回血流灌注均明显低于MCI和认知正常组（P〈0．05）；MCI组仅在颞叶血流灌注明显低于认知正常组（P〈0．05）。不稳定型MCI组扣带回血流灌注明显低于稳定型MCI组（P〈0．05）。结论SPECT显像可为早期诊断AD和MCI提供客观评定脑功能的指标，对MCI预后判定有重要价值。     

针刺治疗阿茨海默病的fMRI研究

阿茨海默病（Alzheimer’s alzheimer’s disease,AD）是一种严重影响老年健康的疾病,在老龄化社会中尤其显著,但是迄今为止,尚未有对AD有效的治疗方法。针刺是一种重要的中医疗法,已经在AD治疗中得到初步的应用,本文对针刺治疗AD的机理以及fMRI在治疗中的应用价值做初步综述。     

Effectiveness of treatment with donepezil hydrochloride and changes in regional cerebral blood flow in patients with Alzheimer's disease

OBJECTIVE: The objective of this study was to elucidate the relationship between the effects of donepezil hydrochloride (donepezil) and cerebral blood flow, and to evaluate the usefulness of cerebral blood flow imaging in assessing and predicting treatment effectiveness. METHODS: The subjects were 29 outpatients (12 men and 17 women; age 50-82 years; mean age 69.2 years), who had received a diagnosis of Alzheimer's disease (AD). Efficacy was evaluated before donepezil administration; after 1 month, 3 months, and 6 months of drug administration; and at 1 year after completion of administration using the Japanese version of the Alzheimer's disease assessment scale-cognitive subscale (ADAS-cog), as a measure of cognitive function. The ADAS-cog has been frequently used to evaluate cognitive function in AD patients. Patients whose ADAS-cog scores improved by 3 or more points during the observation period were classified as responders, and those with no improvement were classified as nonresponders. (123)I-IMP was used for single photon emission computed tomography cerebral blood flow scintigraphy. RESULTS: On the basis of ADAS-cog score improvement, 22 of the 29 patients were responders (7 men and 15 women; age 50-82 years; mean age 69.0 years) and seven were nonresponders (5 men and 2 women; age 61-80 years; mean age 70.0 years). The results indicate that a difference in cerebral blood flow responsiveness after 1 month of treatment distinguishes responders from nonresponders. After 1 month, blood flow was significantly decreased in all regions of nonresponders, whereas significant increases in blood flow were seen in the anterior frontal lobe and parietal lobe of responders. At that time point, blood flow in the basal ganglion differed significantly between the two groups, indicating that this difference in responsiveness after 1 month of treatment may distinguish responders from nonresponders. CONCLUSIONS: In cognitive function testing, the group that exhibited a complete response showed improvement primarily in parameters reflecting frontal lobe function. Complete responders also showed significantly greater blood flow increases in the basal ganglion and thalamus early during the treatment period. This indicates that the drug responsiveness of the basal ganglion and thalamus affects frontal lobe function and distinguishes complete responders from patients who do not exhibit such a response.     

Differences in regional cerebral blood flow patterns in male versus female patients with Alzheimer disease

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE: There may be some differences in the pathophysiology between men and women with Alzheimer disease (AD). This study was undertaken to explore the possible influence of sex on regional cerebral blood flow (rCBF) patterns in patients with AD. METHODS: Single photon emission CT (SPECT) was performed in 30 men and 30 women with AD, and the SPECT data were analyzed by using 3D stereotactic surface projections. RESULTS: There were no significant differences in age, duration of disease, years of education, cognitive deficits and patterns, and MR imaging findings (grade of brain atrophy and extent of white matter hyperintensity lesions) between the two groups. Both male and female patient groups showed decreased rCBF patterns in the parietotemporal lobe, posterior cingulate cortex, and precuneus, which are considered to be the characteristic SPECT findings of AD. There were, however, some differences in rCBF patterns: men had a more severe decrease of rCBF in the parietal and posterior cingulate cortex, whereas women had a more severe decrease of rCBF in the medial temporal region and frontal lobe. CONCLUSION: These data provide evidence that patterns of rCBF deficits differ between the sexes, a finding that supports the concept of heterogeneity of the underlying pathophysiology of AD.     

帕金森病患者抑郁与认知功能等相关研究

目的：研究帕金森病患者抑郁与认知功能、病程、脑功能、局部脑血流量和临床症状等因素相关性。方法：80例帕金森病（PD）患者使用汉密尔顿抑郁量表测试患者抑郁状态,简易智能状态评分（MMSE）评价患者认知功能,检查BEAM和133Xe吸入法测定脑血流量,并设正常对照组。结果：伴抑郁PD患者43例,占53.8%,临床症状以运动迟缓和肌强直为主;无抑郁患者37例,占46.2%,以震颤为主。伴认知功能障碍患者33例,占41.3%;同时伴有抑郁和认知功能障碍29例,占36.3%。HAMD值与MMSE值、大脑平均血流量呈负相关（r=-0.73、-0.65,P〈0.01）,与病程呈正相关（r=0.61,P〈0.01）,而与性别和年龄无相关性。伴抑郁PD患者双侧额叶、颞叶、顶叶和中央区CBF比无抑郁PD患者显著降低（P〈0.05-0.01）,而该区脑电地形图（BEAM）θ、δ相对功率显著增加（P〈0.05-0.01）。结论：PD患者抑郁与认知功能、病程、脑血流量和脑功能密切相关,而与性别、年龄无相关性。