Basic study showing that different acupuncture points (LI4,ST36,LV3) all show up distinctly on fMRI. Important in laying the basis for using precribed acupuncture points instead of random needling. This is from the same center as Vitaly Napadow, so though not listed, he was probably involved.
Am J Chin Med. 2012;40(4):695-712. doi: 10.1142/S0192415X12500528.
Commonality and specificity of acupuncture action at three acupoints as evidenced by FMRI.
Claunch JD, Chan ST, Nixon EE, Qiu WQ, Sporko T, Dunn JP, Kwong KK, Hui KK.
Athinoula A. Martinos Center for Biomedical Imaging, Department of Radiology, Massachusetts General Hospital, Charlestown,
Previous work from our team and others has shown that manual acupuncture at LI4 (hegu), ST36 (zusanli), and LV3 (taichong) deactivates a limbic-paralimbic-neocortical brain network, and at the same time activates somatosensory regions of the brain. The objective of the present study was to explore the specificity and commonality of the brain response to manual acupuncture at LI4, ST36, and LV3, acupoints that are located on different meridians and are used to treat pain disorders. ..The results suggest that although these acupoints are commonly used for anti-pain and modulatory effects, they may mobilize the same intrinsic global networks, with substantial overlap of common brain regions to mediate their actions. Our findings showing preferential response of certain limbic-paralimbic structures suggests acupoints may also exhibit relative specificity.
