Current literature of research on the mechanism of action of the cerebral cortex in acupuncture analgesia carried out in China in recent years are briefly reviewed. Acupuncture anesthesia has been developed on the basis of practical experiences and the Channel-visceral theory of the traditional chinese medicine in treatment of diseases

especially in the relieve of pain. In clinical practice and experiments some results of electrophysiological and biochemical effect of acupuncture upon the cerebral cortex functional activities are summarized in the present review. Evidence of investigations shows that the cerebral cortex takes part in the process of acupuncture analgesia and plays a certain role in the mechanism of acupuncture analgesia. Further investigation will te made yor the explanation of the mechanism of acupuncture anasthesia.