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。

Functional MR Imaging (fMRI) of Acupuncture:Observation of Stimulating the Acu-point ST36(zusanli)

Objective To characterize the brain mappin g on acupuncture stimulation of ST36 (zusanli) by using fMRI, and to discuss the m echanisms of acupuncture to treat diseases.Methods fMRI was performed on three volunteers. Acu-point ST36 (zusanli) was stimulated when fMRI acquisitions were obtained using gradie nt echo-EPI sequence. Brain mappings were generated using GE Functool program. Cerebral blood flow and correlation coefficient (CC) of ROI were analyzed. Results The cerebral blood flow was increased in ipsilate ral hypothalamus and bilateral temporal lobes after the stimulation in all cases . Postcentral gyri were also activated in two cases after the stimulation. Moreo ver, the changes of cerebral blood flow in ipsilateral gyrus were more obvious t han those of the contralateral gyrus. Conclusion Stimulating the acu-point ST36 can lead to the functional changes in vegetative nerve center and temporal lobe, which is corre lated with the therapeutic effects of acu-point ST36. The changes of cerebral bl ood flow in ipsilateral gyrus are more obvious than those of the contralateral g yrus, which could be suggested that the special transmission channel of meridian exists.