Related Experiment Video
Updated: May 25, 2026
09:55
Monitoring Acupuncture Effects on Human Brain by fMRI
Published on: April 8, 2010
The Limbic-Prefrontal Network Modulated by Electroacupuncture at CV4 and CV12
Jiliang Fang1, Xiaoling Wang, Hesheng Liu
1Functional Brain Imaging Lab, Department of Radiology, Guang An Men Hospital, China Academy of Chinese Medical Sciences, Beijing 100053, China.
Evidence-Based Complementary and Alternative Medicine : Ecam
|February 1, 2012
Summary
Electroacupuncture (EA) at abdominal acupoints CV4 and CV12 deactivated the limbic-prefrontal network in healthy volunteers. This brain network modulation, linked to emotional and cognitive regulation, persisted after stimulation.
Area of Science:
- Neuroscience
- Medical Acupuncture
- Functional Neuroimaging
Background:
- fMRI studies indicate acupuncture influences brain hemodynamic activity.
- Previous research often focused on manual acupuncture at limb acupoints and specific brain region activation.
- Investigating electroacupuncture's effects on abdominal acupoints offers new insights into brain network modulation.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the modulation effects of electroacupuncture (EA) on brain functional networks using abdominal acupoints.
- To examine brain activation and functional connectivity changes induced by EA at Guanyuan (CV4) and Zhongwan (CV12) acupoints.
- To understand the impact of EA on networks associated with emotional and cognitive regulation.
Main Methods:
- Functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI) was employed in 21 healthy volunteers.
- Electroacupuncture (EA) was applied to the Guanyuan (CV4) and Zhongwan (CV12) acupoints located on the midline of the abdomen.
- Needling sensations, brain activation patterns, and functional connectivity were assessed during and after EA stimulation.
Main Results:
- EA stimulation at CV4 and CV12 led to deactivation of the limbic-prefrontal functional network.
- Significant changes in local functional connectivity were observed during EA stimulation.
- These connectivity changes demonstrated persistence in the post-stimulation period.
- Both acupoints exhibited similar modulation of the limbic-prefrontal network, with minor variations.
Conclusions:
- Electroacupuncture at abdominal acupoints CV4 and CV12 modulates the limbic-prefrontal functional network in healthy individuals.
- The observed network deactivation and persistent functional connectivity changes are linked to emotional and cognitive regulatory circuits.
- This study highlights the potential of EA at specific abdominal acupoints for influencing brain networks involved in emotional and cognitive functions.