Objective: To study the correlation among acupoints

meridians and cerebral structures with BOLD-based fMRI technique.Methods: Twenty-four healthy volunteer subjects(20 men

4 women;age range 21-48 years) participated in this study and were divided into Guangming(GB 37)

Yanglingquan(GB 34)

Zusanli(ST 36) and Futu(ST 32) groups with 6 cases in each group.These acupoints(left side) were punctured with filiform needles(0.3 mm×40 mm) and manipulated with hand at a frequency of 200 revolutions/min for 15 sec.The signal data [blood oxygen level depended(BOLD) signals] of the brain were collected by using GE1.5 T Signa/Horizon LX Superconductor Nuclear Magnetic Resonance Imaging System.The signal intensities with the needle at rest before

during and after the needle manipulation periods were processed by using a "functional neuroimage software".Results: After acupuncture stimulation of the left GB-34 and GB-37

the signal intensity was increased(by 3.31±1.2%) in contralateral occipital lobe(visual cortex

7 cases)

frontal lobe(8 cases)

temporal lobe(5 cases)

basal nerve ganglion(5 cases)

pons(3 cases);ipsilateral frontal lobe(2 cases) and temporal(1 case);and bilateral occipital lobe(5 cases)

frontal lobe(2 cases)

temporal lobe(2 cases) and basal nerve ganglion(1 case).Acupuncture of ST-36 and ST-32 resulted in signal increase(4.28±1.5%) in the contralateral hypothalamus(6 cases)

hippocampus(8 cases) and frontal lobe(7 cases);ipsilateral hypothalamus(2 cases)

hippocampus(2 cases) and frontal lobe(3 cases);and bilateral hypothalamus(3 cases)

hippocampus(2 cases) and frontal lobe(1 case).Conclusion: Manual acupuncture at acupoints of the same one meridian results in activation of BOLD signals in the same cerebral regions

suggesting a certain specific correlation between the acupoints of a certain meridian and the cerebral structure.