A Comparison of Brain Activity between Healthy Subjects and Stroke Patients on fMRI by Acupuncture Stimulation

Objective： To investigate brain activity patterns during acupuncture in stroke patients, and to compare the result with normal subjects using functional magnetic resonance imaging （fMRI）. Methods： A total of 11 stroke patients with motor weakness and 10 healthy subjects were studied, fMRI was performed during acupuncture on the left side at points Quchi （Llll） and Zusanli （ST36）. Data were analyzed using statistical parametric maps of brain activation induced by acupuncture stimulation. Results： The results showed that stimulation of both LI11 and ST36 produced significantly different brain activation patterns between the two groups. The normal group showed a greater overall activation than the stroke group. In the normal group, parts of the frontal lobe, parietal lobe, sub-lobar, cerebellum and midbrain regions were activated by acupuncture at the left LI11. On the other hand, only the right side of the inferior parietal Iobule region was activated in the stroke patients. When the left ST36 was stimulated in the normal group, both sides of the frontal lobe, parietal lobe, temporal lobe, and sub-lobar, and the left side of occipital lobe, and the right side of cerebellum and midbrain regions were activated. For the same stimulation in the stroke group, only both sides of the inferior parietal Iobule and cerebellum regions were activated （P〈0.05, cluster level）. Deactivation pattern was not noted during any acupuncture stimulation in both groups. Conclusion： Brain signal activations during the same acupuncture were different between the healthy and the stroke patients, and the effects showed a correlation of different acupuncture points.

Brain Activity Associated with Memory and Cognitive Function During Jaw-Tapping Movement in Healthy Subjects Using Functional Magnetic Resonance Imaging*

Objective： TO determine whether jaw-tapping movement, a classically described as an indication of personal well-being and mental health, stimulates the memory and the cognitive regions of the brain and is associated with improved brain performance. Methods： Twelve healthy right-handed female subjects completed the study. Each patient performed a jaw-tapping task and an n-back task during functional magnetic resonance imaging （fMRI）. The subjects were trained to carry out the jaw-tapping movement at home twice a day for 4 weeks. The fMRI was repeated when they returned. Results： During the first and second jaw-tapping session, both sides of precentral gyrus and the right middle frontal gyrus （BA 6） were activated. And during the second session of the jaw-tapping task, parts of frontal lobe and temporal lobe related to memory function were more activated. In addition, the total percent task accuracy in n-beck task significantly increased after 4 weeks of jaw- tapping movement. After jaw-tapping training for 4 weeks, brain areas related to memory showed significantly increased blood oxygen level dependent signals. Conclusion： Jaw-tapping movement might be a useful exercise for stimulating the memory and cognitive regions of the brain.

Uhwang Chungsim Won Decreases Blood Oxygen Level-Dependent fMRI Signal Response to A Motor Stimulation Task

Objectives： TO evaluate the effect of Uhwang Chungsim Won [UC, Niuhuang Qingxin Pill （牛黄清心丸] on the blood oxygen level-dependent （BOLD） functional magnetic resonance imaging （fMRI） signal response to a motor stimulation task using a hand grasping paradigm. Methods： Ten healthy right-handed male volunteers were recruited. Their BOLD fMRI signal characteristics during hand grasping were determined before and 1 h after consuming UC. Results： With the administration of UC, BOLD responses to the right hand motor task showed a decrease in both hemispheres including the right cerebellar culmen, right and left medial frontal gyrus, right parahippocampal gyrus, right and left sublobar insula, right and left posterior cingulate, left precuneus, and right precentral gyrus. Decreased BOLD responses to the left hand motor task were shown in the right lingual gyrus, right cerebellar culmen, left superior temporal gyrus, right and left middle frontal gyrus, and right precentral gyrus after UC administration. Increased BOLD responses to the left hand motor task were shown in the left and right posterior cingulate, while there was no increased response to the right hand motor task after UC administration. Conclusions： UC administration significantly decreased fMRI BOLD signal responses to hand grasping in most of the brain areas including the primary motor cortex, but it is not clear whether these decreased responses were caused by a decrease in neuronal activities or by an increase in cerebral blood flow due to the cerebral vasodilatory effects of UC. Further studies using positron emission tomography or single photon emission computed tomography are needed to fully elucidate these findings.