针刺镇痛机制的功能磁共振成像研究

Investigation of analgesic mechanism of acupuncture: a fMRI study

目的 利用fMRI观察针刺在健康志愿者疼痛模型中所产生的脑区激活灶变化 ,探讨针刺镇痛机制。方法 建立疼痛模型 ,行针刺太冲穴和非穴位前后的疼痛任务fMRI扫描 ,应用SPM 99分析功能数据。观察分析疼痛激活区以及针刺后疼痛信号变化。记录疼痛评分和得气感。结果 疼痛任务中多个脑区被激活。针刺太冲穴后 ,观察到ACC和丘脑的疼痛任务激活体积下降。结论 针刺参与到疼痛处理多个脑区的整合 。

ObjectiveTo observe the change of activated foci in brain regions of the pain models established in healthy volunteers and involvement of acupuncture by functional MR imaging, and to investigate the analgesic mechanism of acupuncture. MethodsPain models were established in healthy volunteers. Two identical fMRI scans with pain task were performed before and after acupuncture manipulations at Taichong or sham acupoint. Imaging data were analyzed using SPM99. The activated regions induced by pain stimulus were observed and the changes of pain signal after acupuncture were evaluated. Pain rating and Deqi sensation were recorded. ResultsMultiple brain region activations were observed during the pain task. The activated volume in ACC and thalamus decreased during the pain task functional run after acupuncture at Taichong. ConclusionAcupuncture may involve the integration of pain processing in multiple brain regions. Thalamus may participate in the process of attention and alert.