Objective To observe heroin cue-induced changes of cerebral functional magnetic resonance images(fMRI) and the effect of acupuncture of Zusanli(ST36) on them under craving state in heroin-addicted volunteers.Methods Fourteen male volunteer heroin addicts were recruited in the present study.Brain images were acquired before

during(2min) and after visualizing heroin(placed in a transparent glass mug) and acupuncture of Zusanli(ST36) on a 1.5-T Siemens Symphony MRI system equipped with a standard head coil.Acupuncture stimulation was applied to bilateral Zusanli(ST36) by manipulating a filiform needle at a frequency of about 60 cycles/min and an angle of about 180° for 2min.The acquired neuroimaging data were analyzed by AlphaSim

AFNI.Results During heroin-visual stimulation

the markedly activated brain areas(increase of blood oxygen level-dependent signal) of fMRI were bilateral middle frontal gyrus

left cingulate gyrus

bilateral insula

occipital cortex

left cu-neus

cerebellum

bilateral thalamus

right hippocampus and right amygdala etc.which are closely related to the human's cra-ving psychological activities.When acupuncture given

meaning processing stronger sensory task

the heroin-addicted subjects showed apparent activation of the brain areas including the right anterior cingulate gyrus

right insula

thalamus

right hippocampal gyrus etc.which activation degrees were significant lower than those of heroin related visual stimulation.Conclusion Acupuncture of Zusanli(ST36) can lessen heroin cue-induced activation degree of the brain areas involving psychological craving

suggesting that acupuncture is able to suppress the heroin addiction patients' drug abuse craving.