Brain mechanism of acupuncture for children with anisometropic amblyopia: a resting functional magnetic resonance imaging study based on voxel-mirrored homotopic connectivity

AIM:To explore the brain mechanism of acupuncture for children with anisometropic amblyopia using the voxelmirror homotopic connectivity(VMHC)analysis method of resting functional magnetic resonance imaging(rs-fMRI)technology based on clinical effectiveness.METHODS:Eighty children with anisometropic monocular amblyopia were randomly divided into two groups:control(40 cases,1 case of shedding)and acupuncture(40 cases,1 case of shedding)groups.The control group was treated with glasses,red flash,grating,and visual stimulations,with each procedure conducted for 5min per time.Based on routine treatment,the acupuncture group underwent acupuncture of“regulating qi and unblocking meridians to bright eyes”,Jingming(BL1),Cuanzhu(BL2),Guangming(GB37),Fengchi(GB20)acupoints were taken on both sides,with the needle kept for 30min each time.Both groups were treated once every other day,three times per week,for a total of 4wk.After the treatment,the overall curative effect of the two groups and the latency and amplitude changes of P100 wave of pattern visual-evoked potential were counted.At the same time,nine children with left eye amblyopia were randomly selected from the two groups and were scanned with rsfMRI before and after treatment.The differences in the brain regions between the two groups were compared and analyzed with VMHC.RESULTS:Chi-square test showed a notable difference in the total efficiency rate between the acupuncture(94.87%)and control groups(79.49%).Regarding the P100 wave latency and amplitude,the acupuncture group had significantly shorter latency and higher amplitude of P100 wave than the control group.Moreover,the VMHC values of the bilateral temporal lobe,superior temporal gyrus,and middle temporal gyrus were notably increased in the acupuncture group after treatment.CONCLUSION:Acupuncture combined with conventional treatment can significantly improve the corrected visual acuity and optic nerve conduction in children with anisometropic amblyopia.Compared with the conventional treatment,the regulation of acupuncture on the functional activities of the relevant brain areas in the anterior cerebellum may be an effective acupuncture mechanism for anisometropic amblyopia.

Functional lumen imaging probe use in a high-volume practice:Practical and technical implications

BACKGROUND The functional lumen imaging probe(FLIP)is a Food and Drug Administration approved tool to aid the diagnosis and management of esophageal disorders.However,widespread adoption of FLIP remains limited and its utility in highvolume practices remains unclear.AIM To analyze large sample data on clinical use of FLIP and provide insight on several technical aspects when performing FLIP.METHODS We conducted a retrospective comparative and descriptive analysis of FLIP procedures performed by a single provider at an academic medical center.There was a total of 398 FLIP procedures identified.Patient medical records were reviewed and data regarding demographics and procedural details were collected.Statistical tests,including chi-squared,t-test,and multivariable logistic and linear regression,were performed.RESULTS There was an increase in FLIP cases with each successive time period of 13 months(n=68,146,184,respectively)with notable rises specifically for indications of dysphagia and gastroesophageal reflux disease.There was a shift toward use of the longer FLIP balloon catheter for diagnostic purposes(overall 70.4%vs 29.6%,P<0.01).Many cases(42.8%)were performed in conjunction with other diagnostics/interventions,such as dilation and wireless pH probe placement.Procedures were nearly equally performed with anesthesia vs moderate sedation(51.4%anesthesia),with no major complications.Patients who had anesthesia were less likely to have recurrent antegrade contractions[odds ratio(OR)=0.4,95%CI:0.3-0.8]and were also more likely to have absent contractility(OR=2.4,95%CI:1.3-CONCLUSION FLIP cases have increased in our practice with expanding indications for its use.Given limited normative data,providers should be aware of several potential technical issues,including the possible impact of sedation choice when assessing esophageal motility patterns.

Vulnerable brain regions in adolescent major depressive disorder:A resting-state functional magnetic resonance imaging activation likelihood estimation meta-analysis

BACKGROUND Adolescent major depressive disorder(MDD)is a significant mental health concern that often leads to recurrent depression in adulthood.Resting-state functional magnetic resonance imaging(rs-fMRI)offers unique insights into the neural mechanisms underlying this condition.However,despite previous research,the specific vulnerable brain regions affected in adolescent MDD patients have not been fully elucidated.AIM To identify consistent vulnerable brain regions in adolescent MDD patients using rs-fMRI and activation likelihood estimation(ALE)meta-analysis.METHODS We performed a comprehensive literature search through July 12,2023,for studies investigating brain functional changes in adolescent MDD patients.We utilized regional homogeneity(ReHo),amplitude of low-frequency fluctuations(ALFF)and fractional ALFF(fALFF)analyses.We compared the regions of aberrant spontaneous neural activity in adolescents with MDD vs healthy controls(HCs)using ALE.RESULTS Ten studies(369 adolescent MDD patients and 313 HCs)were included.Combining the ReHo and ALFF/fALFF data,the results revealed that the activity in the right cuneus and left precuneus was lower in the adolescent MDD patients than in the HCs(voxel size:648 mm3,P<0.05),and no brain region exhibited increased activity.Based on the ALFF data,we found decreased activity in the right cuneus and left precuneus in adolescent MDD patients(voxel size:736 mm3,P<0.05),with no regions exhibiting increased activity.CONCLUSION Through ALE meta-analysis,we consistently identified the right cuneus and left precuneus as vulnerable brain regions in adolescent MDD patients,increasing our understanding of the neuropathology of affected adolescents.

Advancements in Functional Magnetic Resonance Imaging for Persistent Postural-Perceptual Dizziness

Persistent postural-perceptual dizziness, defined in 2017, is a chronic functional vestibular disorder. Which is characterized by persistent dizziness, unsteadiness, and/or non-spinning vertigo. However, the exact mechanisms remain unclear. In recent years, FMRI studies have provided key insights into the pathogenesis of PPPD. This review summarized functional imaging studies of persistent postural dizziness and its predecessors in recent years and found changes in the activity and functional connectivity of important areas of visual processing, multisensory vestibular and spatial cognition in patients with PPPD. In addition, factors such as stimulation mode, personality traits, mental comorbidities and external vestibular lesions have important effects on brain functional activities and connectivity patterns, and further stratified studies on these factors are needed in the future to further clarify and draw exact conclusions on the pathological mechanism of PPPD.

Brain Functional Network Changes in Patients with Poststroke Cognitive Impairment Following Acupuncture Therapy

Background: The mechanisms by which acupuncture affects poststroke cognitive impairment (PSCI) remain unclear. Objective: To investigate brain functional network (BFN) changes in patients with PSCI after acupuncture therapy. Methods: Twenty-two PSCI patients who underwent acupuncture therapy in our hospital were enrolled as research subjects. Another 14 people matched for age, sex, and education level were included in the normal control (HC) group. All the subjects underwent resting-state functional magnetic resonance imaging (rs-fMRI) scans;the PSCI patients underwent one scan before acupuncture therapy and another after. The network metric difference between PSCI patients and HCs was analyzed via the independent-sample t test, whereas the paired-sample t test was employed to analyze the network metric changes in PSCI patients before vs. after treatment. Results: Small-world network attributes were observed in both groups for sparsities between 0.1 and 0.28. Compared with the HC group, the PSCI group presented significantly lower values for the global topological properties (γ, Cp, and Eloc) of the brain;significantly greater values for the nodal attributes of betweenness centrality in the CUN. L and the HES. R, degree centrality in the SFGdor. L, PCG. L, IPL. L, and HES. R, and nodal local efficiency in the ORBsup. R, ORBsupmed. R, DCG. L, SMG. R, and TPOsup. L;and decreased degree centrality in the MFG. R, IFGoperc. R, and SOG. R. After treatment, PSCI patients presented increased degree centrality in the LING.L, LING.R, and IOG. L and nodal local efficiency in PHG. L, IOG. R, FFG. L, and the HES. L, and decreased betweenness centrality in the PCG. L and CUN. L, degree centrality in the ORBsupmed. R, and nodal local efficiency in ANG. R. Conclusion: Cognitive decline in PSCI patients may be related to BFN disorders;acupuncture therapy may modulate the topological properties of the BFNs of PSCI patients.

The retinal function imager and clinical applications

Background:The Retinal Function Imager(RFI)provides in vivo and noninvasive imaging of both the retinal structure and function.Review:The RFI can create capillary perfusion maps,measure blood flow velocity,and determine metabolic function including blood oximetry.It can aid clinical diagnosis as well as assess treatment response in several retinal vascular diseases including diabetic retinopathy.Blood flow velocity abnormalities have also been implicated in disease such as age-related macular degeneration and require further investigation.Compared with optical coherence tomography angiography,the RFI produces capillary maps of comparable image quality and wider field of view but it is unable to provide depth-resolved information and has longer image acquisition time.Currently,functional imaging using blood oximetry has limited applications and additional research is required.Conclusion:The RFI offers noninvasive,high-resolution imaging of retinal microvasculature by creating capillary perfusion maps.In addition,it is capable of measuring retinal blood velocity directly and performs functional imaging with retinal blood oximetry.Its clinical applications are broad and additional research with functional imaging may potentially lead to diagnosis of diseases and their progression before anatomic abnormalities become evident,but longer image acquisition times may limit its clinical adoption.

Microvascular blood flow velocities measured with a retinal function imager: inter-eye correlations in healthy controls and an exploration in multiple sclerosis

Background:The retinal microcirculation has been studied in various diseases including multiple sclerosis(MS).However,inter-eye correlations and potential differences of the retinal blood flow velocity(BFV)remain largely unstudied but may be important in guiding eye selection as well as the design and interpretation of studies assessing or utilizing retinal BFV.The primary aim of this study was to determine inter-eye correlations in BFVs in healthy controls(HCs).Since prior studies raise the possibility of reduced BFV in MS eyes,a secondary aim was to compare retinal BFVs between MS eyes,grouped based on optic neuritis(ON)history and HC eyes.Methods:Macular arteriole and venule BFVs were determined using a retinal function imager(RFI)in both eyes of 20 HCs.One eye from a total of 38 MS patients comprising 13 eyes with ON(MSON)and 25 eyes without ON(MSNON)history were similarly imaged with RFI.Results:OD(right)and OS(left)BFVs were not significantly different in arterioles(OD:3.95±0.59 mm/s;OS:4.08±0.60 mm/s,P=0.10)or venules(OD:3.11±0.46 mm/s;OS:3.23±0.52 mm/s,P=0.06)in HCs.Very strong inter-eye correlations were also found between arteriolar(r=0.84,P<0.001)and venular(r=0.87,P<0.001)BFVs in HCs.Arteriolar(3.48±0.88 mm/s)and venular(2.75±0.53 mm/s)BFVs in MSNON eyes were significantly lower than in HC eyes(P=0.009 and P=0.005,respectively).Similarly,arteriolar(3.59±0.69 mm/s)and venular(2.80±0.45 mm/s)BFVs in MSON eyes were also significantly lower than in HC eyes(P=0.046 and P=0.048,respectively).Arteriolar and venular BFVs in MSON and MSNON eyes did not differ from each other(P=0.42 and P=0.48,respectively).Conclusions:Inter-eye arteriolar and venular BFVs do not differ significantly in HCs and are strongly correlated.Our findings support prior observations that arteriolar and venular BFVs may be reduced in MS eyes.Moreover,this seems to be the case in both MS eyes with and without a history of ON,raising the possibility of global blood flow alterations in MS.Future larger studies are needed to assess differences in BFVs between MSON and MSNON eyes.

The inter-visit variability of retinal blood flow velocity measurements using retinal function imager (RFI)

Background:To determine the inter-visit variability of retinal blood flow velocities(BFVs)using a retinal function imager(RFI)in healthy young subjects.Methods:Twenty eyes of 20 healthy young subjects were enrolled.RFI imaging was performed to obtain the BFVs in retinal arterioles and venules in a field measuring 7.3×7.3 mm^(2)(setting:35 degrees)centered on the fovea,and repeated measurements were obtained on two separate days.The inter-visit variability of BFVs was assessed by the concordance correlation coefficient(CCC)and coefficient of variance(CV).Results:At the first visit,the mean BFV was 3.6±0.8 mm/s and 3.0±0.7 mm/s in arterioles and venules,respectively,which were not significantly different from those at the second visit(the BFV of arterioles was 3.5±0.8 mm/s,and the BFV of venules was 3.0±0.7 mm/s,P>0.05,respectively).The CCC was 0.72 in the BFVs of arterioles and 0.67 in venules,and the CV was 10.8%in the BFVs of arterioles and 11.0%in venules.Conclusion:The inter-visit variability using the retinal function imager(RFI)with a large field of view appeared to be good and comparable to previously reported intra-visit and inter-eye variability.

Side Wall Effects on the Hydrodynamics of a Floating Body by ImageGreen Function Based on TEBEM

A novel numerical model based on the image Green function and first-order Taylor expansion boundary element method(TEBEM), which can improve the accuracy of the hydrodynamic simulation for the non-smooth body, was developed to calculate the side wall effects on first-order motion responses and second-order drift loads upon offshore structures in the wave tank. This model was confirmed by comparing it to the results from experiments on hydrodynamic coefficients, namely the first-order motion response and second-order drift load upon a hemisphere, prolate spheroid, and box-shaped barge in the wave tank. Then,the hydrodynamics of the KVLCC2 model were also calculated in two wave tanks with different widths. It was concluded that this model can predict the hydrodynamics for offshore structures effectively, and the side wall has a significant impact on the firstorder quantities and second-order drift loads, which satisfied the resonant rule.

Use of endolumenal functional lumen imaging probe in investigating paediatric gastrointestinal motility disorders

Investigating gastrointestinal(GI)motility disorders relies on diagnostic tools to assess muscular contractions,peristalsis propagation and the integrity and coordination of various sphincters.Manometries are the gold standard to study the GI motor function but it is increasingly acknowledged that manometries do not provide a complete picture in relation to sphincters competencies and muscle fibrosis.Endolumenal functional lumen imaging probe(EndoFLIP)an emerging technology,uses impedance planimetry to measure hollow organs cross sectional area,distensibility and compliance.It has been successfully used as a complementary tool in the assessment of the upper and lower oesophageal sphincters,oesophageal body,the pylorus and the anal canal.In this article,we aim to review the uses of EndoFLIP as a tool to investigate GI motility disorders with a special focus on paediatric practice.The majority of EndoFLIP studies were conducted in adult patients but the uptake of the technology in paediatrics is increasing.EndoFLIP can provide a useful complementary data to the existing GI motility investigation in both children and adults.

Modified constraint-induced movement therapy enhances cortical plasticity in a rat model of traumatic brain injury:a resting-state functional MRI study

Modified constraint-induced movement therapy(mCIMT)has shown beneficial effects on motor function improvement after brain injury,but the exact mechanism remains unclear.In this study,amplitude of low frequency fluctuation(ALFF)metrics measured by resting-state functional magnetic resonance imaging was obtained to investigate the efficacy and mechanism of mCIMT in a control co rtical impact(CCI)rat model simulating traumatic brain injury.At 3 days after control co rtical impact model establishment,we found that the mean ALFF(mALFF)signals were decreased in the left motor cortex,somatosensory co rtex,insula cortex and the right motor co rtex,and were increased in the right corpus callosum.After 3 weeks of an 8-hour daily mClMT treatment,the mALFF values were significantly increased in the bilateral hemispheres compared with those at 3 days postoperatively.The mALFF signal valu es of left corpus callosum,left somatosensory cortex,right medial prefro ntal cortex,right motor co rtex,left postero dorsal hippocampus,left motor cortex,right corpus callosum,and right somatosensory cortex were increased in the mCIMT group compared with the control cortical impact group.Finally,we identified brain regions with significantly decreased mALFF valu es at 3 days postoperatively.Pearson correlation coefficients with the right forelimb sliding score indicated that the improvement in motor function of the affected upper limb was associated with an increase in mALFF values in these brain regions.Our findings suggest that functional co rtical plasticity changes after brain injury,and that mCIMT is an effective method to improve affected upper limb motor function by promoting bilateral hemispheric co rtical remodeling.mALFF values correlate with behavio ral changes and can potentially be used as biomarkers to assess dynamic cortical plasticity after traumatic brain injury.

Functional magnetic resonance imaging study of group independent components underpinning item responses to paranoid-depressive scale

BACKGROUND Our study expand upon a large body of evidence in the field of neuropsychiatric imaging with cognitive,affective and behavioral tasks,adapted for the functional magnetic resonance imaging(MRI)(fMRI)experimental environment.There is sufficient evidence that common networks underpin activations in task-based fMRI across different mental disorders.AIM To investigate whether there exist specific neural circuits which underpin differ-ential item responses to depressive,paranoid and neutral items(DN)in patients respectively with schizophrenia(SCZ)and major depressive disorder(MDD).METHODS 60 patients were recruited with SCZ and MDD.All patients have been scanned on 3T magnetic resonance tomography platform with functional MRI paradigm,comprised of block design,including blocks with items from diagnostic paranoid(DP),depression specific(DS)and DN from general interest scale.We performed a two-sample t-test between the two groups-SCZ patients and depressive patients.Our purpose was to observe different brain networks which were activated during a specific condition of the task,respectively DS,DP,DN.RESULTS Several significant results are demonstrated in the comparison between SCZ and depressive groups while performing this task.We identified one component that is task-related and independent of condition(shared between all three conditions),composed by regions within the temporal(right superior and middle temporal gyri),frontal(left middle and inferior frontal gyri)and limbic/salience system(right anterior insula).Another com-ponent is related to both diagnostic specific conditions(DS and DP)e.g.It is shared between DEP and SCZ,and includes frontal motor/language and parietal areas.One specific component is modulated preferentially by to the DP condition,and is related mainly to prefrontal regions,whereas other two components are significantly modulated with the DS condition and include clusters within the default mode network such as posterior cingulate and precuneus,several occipital areas,including lingual and fusiform gyrus,as well as parahippocampal gyrus.Finally,component 12 appeared to be unique for the neutral condition.In addition,there have been determined circuits across components,which are either common,or distinct in the preferential processing of the sub-scales of the task.CONCLUSION This study has delivers further evidence in support of the model of trans-disciplinary cross-validation in psychiatry.

Multisensory mechanisms of gait and balance in Parkinson’s disease:an integrative review

Understanding the neural underpinning of human gait and balance is one of the most pertinent challenges for 21st-century translational neuroscience due to the profound impact that falls and mobility disturbances have on our aging population.Posture and gait control does not happen automatically,as previously believed,but rather requires continuous involvement of central nervous mechanisms.To effectively exert control over the body,the brain must integrate multiple streams of sensory information,including visual,vestibular,and somatosensory signals.The mechanisms which underpin the integration of these multisensory signals are the principal topic of the present work.Existing multisensory integration theories focus on how failure of cognitive processes thought to be involved in multisensory integration leads to falls in older adults.Insufficient emphasis,however,has been placed on specific contributions of individual sensory modalities to multisensory integration processes and cross-modal interactions that occur between the sensory modalities in relation to gait and balance.In the present work,we review the contributions of somatosensory,visual,and vestibular modalities,along with their multisensory intersections to gait and balance in older adults and patients with Parkinson’s disease.We also review evidence of vestibular contributions to multisensory temporal binding windows,previously shown to be highly pertinent to fall risk in older adults.Lastly,we relate multisensory vestibular mechanisms to potential neural substrates,both at the level of neurobiology(concerning positron emission tomography imaging)and at the level of electrophysiology(concerning electroencephalography).We hope that this integrative review,drawing influence across multiple subdisciplines of neuroscience,paves the way for novel research directions and therapeutic neuromodulatory approaches,to improve the lives of older adults and patients with neurodegenerative diseases.

Epileptic brain network mechanisms and neuroimaging techniques for the brain network

Epilepsy can be defined as a dysfunction of the brain network,and each type of epilepsy involves different brain-network changes that are implicated diffe rently in the control and propagation of interictal or ictal discharges.Gaining more detailed information on brain network alterations can help us to further understand the mechanisms of epilepsy and pave the way for brain network-based precise therapeutic approaches in clinical practice.An increasing number of advanced neuroimaging techniques and electrophysiological techniques such as diffusion tensor imaging-based fiber tra ctography,diffusion kurtosis imaging-based fiber tractography,fiber ball imagingbased tra ctography,electroencephalography,functional magnetic resonance imaging,magnetoencephalography,positron emission tomography,molecular imaging,and functional ultrasound imaging have been extensively used to delineate epileptic networks.In this review,we summarize the relevant neuroimaging and neuroelectrophysiological techniques for assessing structural and functional brain networks in patients with epilepsy,and extensively analyze the imaging mechanisms,advantages,limitations,and clinical application ranges of each technique.A greater focus on emerging advanced technologies,new data analysis software,a combination of multiple techniques,and the construction of personalized virtual epilepsy models can provide a theoretical basis to better understand the brain network mechanisms of epilepsy and make surgical decisions.

Exploratory study of non-invasive,high-resolution functional macular imaging in subjects with diabetic retinopathy

AIM:To evaluate a high-resolution functional imaging device that yields quantitative data regarding macular blood flow and capillary network features in eyes with diabetic retinopathy(DR).METHODS:Prospective,cross-sectional comparative case-series in which blood flow velocities(BFVs)and noninvasive capillary perfusion maps(nCPMs)in macular vessels were measured in patients with DR and in healthy controls using the Retinal Functional Imager(RFI)device.RESULTS:A total of 27 eyes of 21 subjects were studied[9 eyes nonproliferative diabetic retinopathy(NPDR),9 eyes proliferative diabetic retinopathy(PDR)and 9 controls].All diabetic patients were type 2.All patients with NPDR and 5 eyes with PDR also had diabetic macular edema(DME).The NPDR group included eyes with severe(n=3)and moderate NPDR(n=6),and were symptomatic.A significant decrease in venular BFVs was observed in the macular region of PDR eyes when compared to controls(2.61±0.6 mm/s and 2.92±0.72 mm/s in PDR and controls,respectively,P=0.019)as well as PDR eyes with DME compared to NPDR eyes(2.36±0.51 mm/s and 2.94±1.09 mm/s in PDR with DME and NPDR,respectively,P=0.01).CONCLUSION:The RFI,a non-invasive imaging tool,provides high-resolution functional imaging of the retinal microvasculature and quantitative measurement of BFVs in visually impaired DR patients.The isolated diminish venular BFVs in PDR eyes compared to healthy eyes and PDR eyes with DME in comparison to NPDR eyes may indicate the possibility of more retinal vein compromise than suspected in advanced DR.

Left ventricular regional and global diastolic function assessed using Quantitative Tissue velocity Imaging in patients with hypertrophic cardiomyopathy

Objectives The study was performed to assess the left ventricular (LV) regional and global diastolic function、left ventricular wall motion features in patients with Hypertrophic cardiomyopathy by Quantitative Tissue Velocity Imaging (QTVI). Methods 42 patients with hypertrophic cardiomyopathy and 36 age-matched normal subjects underwent QTVI study. Off-line LV regional muscular tissue velocity Imaging along LV apical long-axis view were obtained. Regional diastolic function was assessed in using peak tissue velocities of LV regional muscular tissue during early diastole (Ve)and LA contraction (Va), Ve/Va ratio, derived from Tissue Velocity Imaging. Global diastolic function was reflected by isovolumic relaxation time(IRT) and mitral valve peak flow velocity ( E/A ) calculated with pulsed wave doppler. The end-diastolic interventricular septal thickness (ⅣSt) was measured by conventional 2 - dimension echocardiography. Results ① Ve、 Va、 Ve/Va in the segments of hypertrophic interventricular septum (IVS) reduced wlhile E/A ratio significantly reduced and IRT markedly prolonged in HCM patients than in normal subjects。 ② Ve、 Ve/Va were significant reduced in the segments of hypertrophic interventricular septum compared with other LV segments in HCM patients . ③ There was a correlation between Ve/Va and E/A in HCM patients with abnormal E/A ratio (r = 0. 70). ④ There was a negative correlation between Ve/Va and ⅣSt in non -obstruction HCM patients (B group , r = -0.61 ) Conclusions QTVI offers a newer method in clinical practice which has a higher sensibility and accuracy in evaluating the LV regional and global diastolic function in HCM patients .

Acupuncture at Waiguan (TE5) influences activation/deactivation of functional brain areas in ischemic stroke patients and healthy people A functional MRI study

In the present study, 10 patients with ischemic stroke in the left hemisphere and six healthy controls were subjected to acupuncture at right Waiguan （TE5）. In ischemic stroke subjects, functional MRI showed enhanced activation in Broadmann areas 5, 6, 7, 18, 19, 24, 32, the hypothalamic inferior lobe, the mamiilary body, and the ventral posterolateral nucleus of the left hemisphere, and Broadmann areas 4, 6, 7, 18, 19 and 32 of the right hemisphere, but attenuated activation of Broadmann area 13, the hypothalamic inferior lobe, the posterior lobe of the tonsil of cerebellum, and the culmen of the anterior lobe of hypophysis, in the left hemisphere and Broadmann area 13 in the right hemisphere. In ischemic stroke subjects, a number of deactivated brain areas were enhanced, including Broadmann areas 6, 11,20, 22, 37, and 47, the culmen of the anterior lobe of hypophysis, alae lingulae cerebella, and the posterior lobe of the tonsil of cerebellum of the left hemisphere, and Broadmann areas 8, 37, 45 and 47, the culmen of the anterior lobe of hypophysis, pars tuberalis adenohypophyseos, inferior border of lentiform nucleus, lateral globus pallidus, inferior temporal gyrus, and the parahippocampal gyrus of the right hemisphere. These subjects also exhibited attenuation of a number of deactivated brain areas, including Broadmann area 7. These data suggest that acupuncture at Waiguan specifically alters brain function in regions associated with sensation, vision, and motion in ischemic stroke patients. By contrast, in normal individuals, acupuncture at Waiguan generally activates brain areas associated with insomnia and other functions.

Functional Imaging of Breast Tissue and Clinical Application

A novel approach to image hemoglobin concentration（△Dhb） and oxygen saturation （△Doxy） of breast tissue is presented. The scenograph of dual-wavelength （760 and 850 nm） near infrared lights through breast tissue is acquired by high sensitive charge coupled device （CCD） camera. The evaluation criterion of the difference of △Dhh and △Doxy between detected and referenced breast tissue can be obtained by a calculation formula without complicate caculation. This approach is applied to clinic detection in breast tissue. The ongoing clinical experiments indicate that malignant tumor usually exhibits characterize of ＂higher △Dhb and lower △Doxy＂, while benign lesion often shows ＂lower △Dhb and higher △Doxy＂ or other characters. So it is useful to assist the diagnosis of breast disease.

Functional brain imaging of gastrointestinal sensation in health and disease

It has since long been known, from everyday experience as well as from animal and human studies, that psychological processes-both affective and cognitive- exert an influence on gastrointestinal sensorimotor function. More specifically, a link between psychological factors and visceral hypersensitivity has been suggested, mainly based on research in functional gastrointestinal disorder patients. However, until recently, the exact nature of this putative relationship remained unclear, mainly due to a lack of non-invasive methods to study the （neurobiological） mechanisms underlying this relationship in non-sleeping humans. As functional brain imaging, introduced in visceral sensory neuroscience some 10 years ago, does provide a method for in vivo study of brain-gut interactions, insight into the neurobiological mechanisms underlying visceral sensation in general and the influence of psychological factors more particularly, has rapidly grown. In this article, an overview of brain imaging evidence on gastrointestinal sensation will be given, with special emphasis on the brain mechanisms underlying the interaction between affective ＆ cognitive processes and visceral sensation. First, the reciprocal neural pathways between the brain and the gut （brain- gut axis） will be briefly outlined, including brain imaging evidence in healthy volunteers. Second, functional brain imaging studies assessing the influence of psychological factors on brain processing of visceral sensation in healthy humans will be discussed in more detail. Finally, brain imaging work investigating differences in brain responses to visceral distension between healthy volunteers and functional gastrointestinal disorder patients will be highlighted.