Functional brain imaging studies on specificity of meridian and acupoints

At present, the specificity of meridians and acupoints has been studied using functional brain imaging techniques from many standpoints, including meridians, acupoints, and sham acupoints, as well as different meridians and acupoints, coordination of acupoints, and factors influencing meridian and acupoint specificity Preliminary experimental data have demonstrated that acupuncture at meridians and acupoints is specific with regard to brain neural information. However, research findings are contradictory, which may be related to brain functional complexity, resolution of functional brain imaging techniques, and experimental design. Future studies should further improve study method, and should strictly control experimental conditions to better analyze experimental data and acquire more beneficial data. Because of its many advantages, the functional brain imaging technique is a promising method for studying meridian and acupoint specificity.

Rules of Meridians and Acupoints Selection in Treatment of Parkinson’s Disease Based on Data Mining Techniques

Objective:To help selecting appropriate meridians and acupoints in clinical practice and experimental study for Parkinson’s disease(PD),the rules of meridians and acupoints selection of acupuncture and moxibustion were analyzed in domestic and foreign clinical treatment for PD based on data mining techniques.Methods:Literature about PD treated by acupuncture and moxibustion in China and abroad was searched and selected from China National Knowledge Infrastructure and MEDLINE.Then the data from all eligible articles were extracted to establish the database of acupuncture-moxibustion for PD.The association rules of data mining techniques were used to analyze the rules of meridians and acupoints selection.Results:Totally,168 eligible articles were included and 184 acupoints were applied.The total frequency of acupoints application was 1,090 times.Those acupoints were mainly distributed in head and neck and extremities.Among all,Taichong(LR 3),Baihui(DU 20),Fengchi(GB 20),Hegu(LI 4)and Chorea-tremor Controlled Zone were the top five acupoints that had been used.Superior-inferior acupoints matching was utilized the most.As to involved meridians,Du Meridian,Dan(Gallbladder)Meridian,Dachang(Large Intestine)Meridian,and Gan(Liver)Meridian were the most popular meridians.Conclusions:The application of meridians and acupoints for PD treatment lay emphasis on the acupoints on the head,attach importance to extinguishing Gan wind,tonifying qi and blood,and nourishing sinews,and make good use of superior-inferior acupoints matching.

基于复杂网络的《新针灸学》与《经络腧穴学》比较分析研究

The data relevant to acupoint names and indications were extracted from two key textbooks on acupuncture, namely, New Acupuncture and Meridians and Acupoints. Based on the complex network approach, the acupoint-symptom network was established and changes based on the acupoint number were analyzed to highlight the agreement and congruence between these two textbooks, including indication rules. Using topological data, the reasons for the differences were explained to provide specific ideas and methods for the structural development and standardization of the traditional acupuncture knowledge system. In this study, 386 acupoints, 773 symptoms, and 152,163 acupoint-matched pairs from New Acupuncture and 403 acupoints, 253 symptoms, and 28,755 acupoint-matched pairs from Meridians and Acupoints were included. The results highlighted that there are numerous differences in the acupoint-symptom network between these two textbooks. The model of New Acupuncture displays a more typical small-world effect, which may reflect the advantage of classification by symptoms. Furthermore, many of the variations in acupoint locations and indications between these two textbooks reflect the discipline's development over time.