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Related Concept Videos

Neuroplasticity01:01

Neuroplasticity

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Neuroplasticity reflects the brain's remarkable capacity to adapt and evolve, responding dynamically to learning, experiences, or injury by reorganizing its neural circuitry. This reorganization involves creating new neural connections and refining old ones through a series of biological processes that contribute to the brain's lifelong development and adaptability.
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A Novel Scalp Acupuncture-based Method to Target the Hand Motor Hotspot for Non-invasive Brain Stimulation
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Neuroplasticity Changes on Human Motor Cortex Induced by Acupuncture Therapy: A Preliminary Study.

Yi Yang1, Ines Eisner2, Siqi Chen3

  • 1Acupuncture and Moxibustion Department, Beijing Hospital of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Capital Medical University, Meishuguanhoujie No. 23, Dongcheng District, Beijing 100010, China; Department of Chinese Medicine, Capital Medical University, Youanmenwai Xitoutiao No. 10, Fengtai District, Beijing 100069, China.

Neural Plasticity
|March 16, 2017
PubMed
Summary

Acupuncture therapy significantly alters brain activity in healthy adults, modulating motor cortex excitability and interhemispheric inhibition. These findings suggest acupuncture influences neuroplasticity, warranting further investigation in patient populations.

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Area of Science:

  • Neuroscience
  • Rehabilitation Medicine
  • Integrative Medicine

Background:

  • Neuroplasticity changes, measurable via transcranial magnetic stimulation (TMS), correlate with motor recovery.
  • Previous interventions have utilized TMS to study neuroplasticity, but its application to acupuncture therapy is unexplored.
  • Understanding acupuncture's neurophysiological mechanisms is crucial for its therapeutic application.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To investigate neuroplasticity changes induced by a single acupuncture session in healthy adults.
  • To assess effects on bilateral primary motor cortex excitability and interhemispheric inhibition.
  • To explore the neurophysiological basis of acupuncture's potential therapeutic effects.

Main Methods:

  • Ten healthy subjects underwent a 30-minute acupuncture session and a separate 30-minute relaxation phase.
  • Transcranial magnetic stimulation (TMS) measures, including resting motor threshold and motor-evoked potential (MEP) amplitudes, were recorded.
  • Interhemispheric inhibition was assessed before and after each intervention.

Main Results:

  • Acupuncture significantly altered MEP amplitudes in both ipsilateral and contralateral hemispheres compared to baseline.
  • A significant decrease in interhemispheric inhibition from the contralateral motor cortex was observed post-acupuncture.
  • These changes suggest modulation of corticomotoneuronal excitability and interhemispheric competition.

Conclusions:

  • A single acupuncture session can modulate corticomotoneuronal excitability and interhemispheric inhibition in healthy individuals.
  • Acupuncture therapy demonstrates potential neuroplastic effects.
  • Future studies should examine these effects in stroke patients and their correlation with motor recovery.