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Updated: Jul 9, 2026
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A Novel Scalp Acupuncture-based Method to Target the Hand Motor Hotspot for Non-invasive Brain Stimulation
Published on: December 19, 2025
Potential Targets for Scalp Acupuncture and Brain Stimulation in Mental Disorders: Evidence From Large-Scale
Yuanyuan Li1, Yuan Feng1, Yuefeng Wu1
1Department of Psychiatry, Massachusetts General Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Charlestown, MA 02129, USA.
Alpha Psychiatry
|July 8, 2026
Summary
This study identifies precise scalp targets for nine mental disorders using brain stimulation and scalp acupuncture. Findings refine therapeutic protocols and advance precision neuromodulation for psychiatric conditions.
Area of Science:
- Neuroscience
- Psychiatry
- Neuromodulation
Background:
- Scalp acupuncture and brain stimulation show potential for mental disorders.
- Precise stimulation target identification is a key challenge.
- Pinpointing relevant brain regions optimizes scalp-based therapy efficacy.
Purpose of the Study:
- To identify precise scalp targets for nine mental disorders using meta-analyses.
- To integrate identified brain regions with scalp anatomy for intervention sites.
- To refine protocols for scalp acupuncture and brain stimulation.
Main Methods:
- Large-scale coordinate-based meta-analyses using Neurosynth Compose.
- Identification of brain clusters for schizophrenia, bipolar disorder, depression, anxiety, OCD, PTSD, insomnia, ASD, and ADHD.
- Projection of brain clusters onto the scalp and integration with acupoints and EEG 10-20 system.
Main Results:
- Delineated specific scalp targets for all nine investigated mental disorders.
- Corroborated existing protocols and suggested novel therapeutic regions.
- Identified overlapping targets including prefrontal cortex, middle temporal gyrus, and inferior parietal lobule.
Conclusions:
- Proposed refined, evidence-based protocols for scalp acupuncture and brain stimulation.
- Advanced precision-targeted neuromodulation strategies for psychiatric care.
- Supported development of novel therapeutic approaches for mental disorders.
