Objective: To investigate the effect of electroacupuncture(EA) on glucose metabolism of the cerebral motor function regions in stroke patients.Methods: A total of 6 volunteer stroke patients with the duration of disease being 1-3 months were subjected into this study.Positron emission tomography(PET) and

(18)

F-2-fluoro-2-deoxy-D-glucose((18)F-2-fluoro-2-deoxy-D-glucose(

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F-FDG

i.v.) were used to evaluate cerebral glucose metabolism 1) during fist-clenching movement and without acupuncture stimulation

2) after EA stimulation(frequency 4 Hz

strength 4-6 mV

duration 20 min) at Baihui(GV 20)and right Qubin(GB 7)

and 3) three weeks after the acupuncture treatment.Talairach coordinates(Atlas of brain) and statistical parametric mapping(SPM) software were used to deal with the acquired imaging data.Results: a) Hypermetabolism of glucose was found mainly in precentral gyrus(PCG)

medial frontal gyrus(MFG)

superior parietal lobule(SPL)

middle temporal gyrus(MTG)

superior temporal gyrus(STG)

cerebellum and putamen in the healthy hemisphere MFG on the affected side after EA stimulation

while hypometabolism found in PCG

median frontal gyrus(Area 6

10)

SPL

MFG and MTG(Area 21)

on the affected side;b)Three weeks after EA

hypermetabolism still existed in PCG

superior frontal gyrus and STG in the healthy hemisphere;while hypometabolism existed in PCG

inferior frontal gyrus

thalamus

STG

MTG

etc.in the affected hemisphere.Conclusion: EA of Baihui(GV 20)-Qubin(GB 7) can elevate or lower glucose metabolism in cerebral structures related to motor function in the bilateral cerebral hemispheres

which may systematically induce excitement of motor nerve

expiate or assist the injured nerve network and expedite the reestablishment of the cerebral motor function.