Functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI) changes and saliva production associated with acupuncture at LI-2 acupuncture point: A randomized controlled study Journal Article
| Authors: | Deng, G.; Hou, B. L.; Holodny, A. I.; Cassileth, B. R. |
| Article Title: | Functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI) changes and saliva production associated with acupuncture at LI-2 acupuncture point: A randomized controlled study |
| Abstract: | Background: Clinical studies suggest that acupuncture can stimulate saliva production and reduce xerostomia (dry mouth). We were interested in exploring the neuronal substrates involved in such responses. Methods: In a randomized, sham acupuncture controlled, subject blinded trial, twenty healthy volunteers received true and sham acupuncture in random order. Cortical regions that were activated or deactivated during the interventions were evaluated by functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI). Saliva production was also measured. Results: Unilateral manual acupuncture stimulation at LI-2, a point commonly used in clinical practice to treat xerostomia, was associated with bilateral activation of the insula and adjacent operculum. Sham acupuncture at an adjacent site induced neither activation nor deactivation. True acupuncture induced more saliva production than sham acupuncture. Conclusion: Acupuncture at LI-2 was associated with neuronal activations absent during sham acupuncture stimulation. Neuroimaging signal changes appear correlated to saliva production. © 2008 Deng et al; licensee BioMed Central Ltd. |
| Keywords: | adult; controlled study; clinical trial; nuclear magnetic resonance imaging; methodology; magnetic resonance imaging; controlled clinical trial; image analysis; randomized controlled trial; brain cortex; correlation analysis; reference values; xerostomia; acupuncture; randomization; functional magnetic resonance imaging; parotid gland; brain region; normal human; sham procedure; secretion; nerve stimulation; human experiment; reference value; acupuncture therapy; saliva; salivation; acupuncture points |
| Journal Title: | BMC Complementary and Alternative Medicine |
| Volume: | 8 |
| ISSN: | 1472-6882 |
| Publisher: | Biomed Central Ltd |
| Date Published: | 2008-07-07 |
| Start Page: | 37 |
| Language: | English |
| DOI: | 10.1186/1472-6882-8-37 |
| PUBMED: | 18606019 |
| PROVIDER: | scopus |
| PMCID: | PMC2474572 |
| DOI/URL: | |
| Notes: | --- - "Cited By (since 1996): 17" - "Export Date: 17 November 2011" - "CODEN: BCAMC" - "Source: Scopus" |
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