Cerebral Function Imaging Study on After Effect of Acupuncture at Point Zusanli

Objective To explore the after effect of acupuncture at Zusanli(ST36) by using functional magnetic resonance imaging(fMRI).Methods Sixteen healthy volunteers participated in the experiment.fMRI images were obtained before acupuncture and 25 minutes after acupuncture at Zusanli(ST36).The regional homogeneity(ReHo) approach was applied for fMRI data analysis.Results Compared with resting state without acupuncture,increased ReHo was found in the right middle frontal gyrus,left superior frontal gyrus,right superior temporal gyrus,posterior cingulate,right paracentral lobule,right pallidum,right middle occipital gyrus and left medial frontal gyrus 25 minutes after acupuncture.Decreased ReHo was found in the bilateral postcentral gyrus,left middle occipital gyrus,left middle temporal gyrus,left inferior temporal gyrus,left fusiform gyrus,left paracentral lobule,and right medial frontal gyrus(P0.01).Conclusion Acupuncture at ST36 has after effect and can change ReHo in some brain regions of the healthy volunteers.