Objective:To observe the distribution of the activated cerebral regions after acupuncture stimulation of Shenmai (BL 62) by using functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI) technique. Methods: A total of 6 cases of volunteer healthy subjects were recruited for this study. After insertion

the acupuncture needle was twirled about 180° and at a frequency of about 120 times/min for 5 min

and then

retained to the end of each experiment. Before and during manipulation and retention of the needle

cerebral images were sampled separately using a superconductor magnetic resonance scanner and analyzed by using SPM software. Results:During manipulation of the needle inserted in the unilateral Shenmai (BL 62)

the highly-activated cerebral structures were limbic system(thalamus

cingulum gyrus

parahippocampal gyrus)

middle frontal gyrus

posterior lobe of the cerebellum

etc.

on the contralateral side of the brain; interthalamic adhesion

habenular commissure of habenulae

white matter

occipital lobe

etc.; bilateral superior temporal gyrus. During retention of the needle

the highly-activated cerebral structures were bilateral parahippocampal gyrus

dorsal thalamus

cingulum gyrus

superior frontal gyrus

etc.; ipsilateral temporal lobe

amydaloid nucleus

occipital lobe

etc. Five minutes later (from the beginning of retention of the needle)

the activated degree of the aforementioned cerebral structures such as parahippocampal gyrus

bilateral posterior lobe of the cerebellum

etc

declined clearly. These results provide spatial and temporal information about the neural activity of different regions of the brain during acupuncture of BL-62 and retention of the needle. Conclusion: The aforementioned results show that some cerebral regions are activated by acupuncture stimulation of Shenmai (BL 62) and may be involved in the therapeutic effect of acupuncture of this acupoint in the treatment of some related diseases.