Objective To observe the influence of acupuncture of Shenmen (HT 7) and Yanglao (SI 6) on neuro-images in different cerebral regions in voleenteer subjects. Methods Twelve healthy young voleenteer participants were enrolled in this research. fMRI scans were taken in random order in a block design (one for baseline and two for acupuncture stimulations). During stimulation phase

an acupuncture needle inserted in right HT7 or SI6 was twirled at an angle of 180° and a frequency of about 1.5 Hz for 35.6 ms. Main parameters for fMRI were TR/TE/FA=3 560 ms/50 ms/90°. Acupuncture sensations were evaluated by means of visual analog scale (VAS). The collected images were analyzed by using SPM 2 for exploring inter-group differences in blood oxygen level dependent (BOLD) responses. Results When manipulating the needle

both the operator and the subject had a feeling of Deqi. Increases in BOLD signal (group analysis

corrected

0.05

K≥10) were found mainly in right postcentral gyrus of frontal lobe (BA 2

BA 1

BA 43)

left inferior frontal gyrus (BA 47)

secondarily

in the right inferior parietal lobule (BA 40)

right inferior frontal gyrus (BA 44)

left superior temporal gyrus (BA 22) and right insula (BA 40) after acupuncture at HT7; and chiefly in left inferior parietal lobule (BA 40)

right inferior frontal gyrus (BA 45

BA 46)

secondarily in the left middle temporal gyrus and inferior temporal gyrus (BA 37) as well as the left superior frontal gyrus (BA 10) after acupuncture of SI6. Conclusion Acupuncture of HT7 and SI6 elicite different BOLD responses in some related cerebral regions.