Objective To observe the effect of acupuncture of Zusanli(ST 36) on electroencephalogram(EEG) so as to probe into its law in regulating the interconnectivity of brain functional network.Methods A total of 9 healthy young volunteer students(6 male

3 female) participated in the present study.They were asked to take a dorsal position on a test-bed.EEG signals were acquired from 22 surface scalp electrodes(Fp1

Fp2

F7

F3

Fz

F4

F8

A1

T3

C3

Cz

C4

T4

A2

T5

P3

Pz

P4

T6

Oz

O1 and O2) fixed on the subject's head.Acupuncture stimulation was applied to the right Zusanli(ST 36) by manipulating the filiform needle with uniform reducing-reinforcing method and at a frequency of about 50 cycles/min for 2 min.Then the stimulation was stopped for 10 min

and repeated once again(needle-twirling frequency:150 and 200 cycles/min)

3 times altogether.The acquired EEG data were analyzed by using coherence estimation method

average path length

average clustering coe-fficient

and the average degree of the articulation points(nodes) for analyzing the synchronization of EEG signals before

during and after acupuncture.Results In comparison with pre-acupuncture

the coherence amplitude values of EEG-δ(1-4 Hz) and γ(31-47 Hz) waves were increased significantly after acupuncture of ST 36.No significant changes were found in the amplitude values of EEG-θ(5-8 Hz)

-α(9-13 Hz) and-β(14-30 Hz) waves after acupuncture stimulation.During and after acupuncture

the synchronism values of EEG-δ waves of different leads and numbers of interconnectivity between every two brain functional regions in majority of the 9 volunteers were increased clearly.In all volunteers

the degree values of all nodes except A 1 and A 2

the average clustering coefficients along with the increase of the threshold(r)

and the average path lengths of the brain functio-nal network of EEG-δ waves during and after acupuncture were also increased evidently(the latter two items

P<0.05)

suggesting an increase of the information exchange and functional connectivity of different brain regions.Conclusion Acupuncture of Zusanli(ST 36) can increase the amplitude and synchronization of EEG-δ waves of different leads

and potentiate the functional interconnectivity of brain functional network.