Objective To observe the specific brain effects of electroacupuncture(EA) stimulation of Guanyuan(CV 4) and Zhongwan(CV 12).Methods Twenty-one healthy volunteers were recruited in the present study.Two silver filiform needles were separately inserted into Guanyuan(CV 4) or Zhongwan(CV 12)

and manipulated with uniform reducing-reinforcing method to induce "Deqi".fMRI scan was performed before needling

during needle retention

EA stimulation

and post-EA.Data of fMRI was analyzed by using software SPM 2.The volunteer subjective needling sensations were recorded.The activation

deactivation

short-distance and long-distance functional connectivity maps of different cerebral regions were analyzed by using whole brain correlation analysis.Results Comparison between the two acupoints showed that fullness feeling was stronger in CV 4 than in CV 12.EA at CV 4 and CV 12 induced a similar stronger and prevalent deactivation in the ventral medial prefrontal cortex and the anterior cingulated cortex(ACC).The deactivation of the ACC was stronger in the CV 4 group than in the CV 12 group.The default BOLD mode of the brain at rest was modified by needle retention and EA

respectively.The short-distance functional connection brain network was significantly changed after EA.Interestingly

the ventral medial prefrontal cortex and anteroinferior portion of the anterior cingulate cortex in the limbic-paralimbic-neocortical network(LPNN) were involved in the instant post-effects of EA.Relatively smaller differences in the brain functional activity and short-distance functional connectivity were found between these two acupoints.Conclusion EA of CV 4 and CV 12 can modulate short-distance functional connectivity of the LPNN

and have fewer differences in inducing needling sensation and deactivation of ACC

etc.