A resting-state fMRI cerebral functional imaging research of needling in Taixi(KI3) for healthy volunteers

Objective: To observe the effects on activated / deactivated brain regions of needling at bilateral Taixi( KI3) of healthy volunteers by the functional magnetic resonance imaging( fMRI) based on the comparison on the significant difference between the before and after needling. Methods: 15 cases of healthy volunteers,received acupuncture at KI3 for 30 minutes,and also received the cerebral resting state fMRI scan 15 minutes before and after needling. All the data were analyzed with amplitude of low frequency fluctuation( ALFF). Results: Compared to that of before,the ALFF value enhanced areas of the brain were the inferior semilunar lobule in right posterior lobe of cerebellum,the middle frontal gyrus in left frontal lobe of cerebrum and Brodmann area 10( BA10) after 15 minutes; Weakened ALFF were not found. Conclusion: ALFF analysis showed that,after needling at KI3,the functional changes of brain areas were mainly concentrated in the cerebellum,which might be related to the center nerve mechanism of the clinical applications of KI3.