基于磁共振成像阐释电针百会、印堂的抗抑郁机制

Mechanism of Electroacupuncture at Baihui(GV20) and Yintang(EX-HN3) in Treating Depression Based on Magnetic Resonance Imaging

目的:基于磁共振成像技术探讨电针百会、印堂穴改善卒中后抑郁患者抑郁症状的作用机制,为电针百会、印堂穴的抗抑郁作用寻找客观证据。方法:在电针治疗卒中后抑郁疗效确切的基础上,采用功能磁共振成像技术从结构和功能2个维度探讨电针百会、印堂的抗抑郁机制。结果:电针百会、印堂穴能够改善卒中后抑郁患者的执行功能受损,这种改善作用体现在激活了大脑皮质的右侧前额叶、右侧前扣带、右侧额中回内侧、左侧中央后回。同时电针作用可以促进受损白质纤维束结构的修复,白质纤维束结构完整性较电针前发生改善的是:丘脑前辐射、小钳和上纵束。结论:电针百会、印堂穴可能是通过改善前额叶-丘脑这一环路发挥抗抑郁作用。

Objective:To explore the mechanism of electroacupuncture at Baihui(GV20) and Yintang(EX-HN3) in treating post-stroke depression(PSD) based on magnetic resonance imaging and provide evidence for the anti-depression effect of electroacupuncture at the two acupoints.Methods:On the basis of confirmed therapeutic effect of electroacupuncture on PSD,functional magnetic resonance imaging(fMRI) was employed to decipher the anti-depression mechanism of electroacupuncture from structure and function.Results:Electroacupuncture at Baihui(GV20) and Yintang(EX-HN3) alleviated the impaired executive function of PSD patients,which was reflected in the activation of the right prefrontal lobe,the right anterior cingulate,the right medial frontal gyrus,and the left posterior central gyrus of the cerebral cortex.At the same time,electroacupuncture can promote the repair of damaged white matter fiber tracts,especially those in the anterior thalamic radiation,anterior forceps,and superior longitudinal fasciculus.Conclusion:Electroacupuncture at Baihui(GV20) and Yintang(EX-HN3) exerts the anti-depression effect by improving the function of the prefrontal-thalamic loop.