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Neuro-imaging and Acupuncture Project
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To determine the impact of needling at two depths at
the classical acupuncture point
Hegu (LI-4) on brain images as recorded by functional magnetic resonance
imaging (fMRI) and magneto-encephalography (MEG).
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Publication
MacPherson
H, Green G, Nevado A, Lythgoe MF, Lewith G, Devlin R, Haselfoot R, Asghar
AUR. Brain imaging of acupuncture: Comparing superficial with deep
needling. Neuroscience
Letters, 2008 434(1): 144-149.[Full
text] |
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Background
Acupuncture is a treatment modality that is growing in popularity in
the UK. In parallel, a number of recent high quality trials have provided evidence of
clinical effectiveness, and in some cases cost-effectiveness, for a range of conditions,
especially those associated with pain. Despite this growing body of evidence, there are
many sceptics who would like “objective” evidence of acupuncture’s impact
on biological correlates. One new area of research where such “objective”
evidence has now become possible is in the mapping of the effect of acupuncture on
regionally specific structures within the brain. Such
specific and quantifiable data would extend the evidence base for the mechanisms
underlying acupuncture, and potentially contribute to the explanations of its clinical
impact.
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The fMRI scanner at the
York
Neuroimaging Centre
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An image from an fMRI scan
of images from acupuncture
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Abstract
of Research with fMRI
Methods:
Using a 3 Tesla MRI, echo planar imaging data were acquired for seventeen
right-handed healthy volunteer participants. Two fMRI scans of acupuncture
needling were taken in random order in a block design, one for superficial
and one for deep needling on the right hand at the acupuncture point LI-4
(Hegu), with the participant blind to the order. For both scans
needle stimulation was used. Brain image analysis tools were used to
explore within-group and between-group differences in the blood oxygen
level dependent (BOLD) responses.
Results:
The study demonstrated marked similarities in BOLD signal responses
between superficial and deep needling, with no significant differences in
either activations (increases in BOLD signal) or deactivations (decreases
in BOLD signal) above the voxel Z score of 2.3 with corrected cluster
significance of p=0.05. For both types of needling, deactivations
predominated over activations.
Conclusions:
These fMRI data suggest that acupuncture needle stimulation at two
different depths of needling, superficial and deep, do not elicit
significantly different BOLD responses. This data is consistent with the
equivalent therapeutic outcomes that are claimed by proponents of Japanese
and Chinese styles of acupuncture that utilise superficial and deep
needling, respectively.
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| This project was conducted
at the York Neuroimaging Centre (YNIC).
In an extension to this project we will also be exploring the effect of acupuncture on brain structures with
data collected in an MEG scanner. Using
overlay techniques, we will explore similarities and differences between the fMRI and MEG
data. |
The MEG scanner at the
York Neuroimaging Centre
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Co-investigators:
Hugh MacPherson1, Gary
Green2, Angel Nevado2, Mark F Lythgoe3,
George Lewith4, Ross Devlin2, Robyn Haselfoot2 and
Aziz UR Asghar 2,5
1 Department of Health Sciences, University of
York, YO10 5DD
2 York Neuroimaging Centre, University of York, Y10
5DG
3 RCS Unit of
Biophysics, UCL Institute of Child Health, University College London, WC1N
3JH
4 Complementary
Medicine Research Unit, University of Southampton, SO17 1BJ
5 Hull York Medical School and Department of
Biological Sciences, University of Hull, Hull, HU6 7RX
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in England as a charity (number 702083). 