Activated and deactivated functional brain areas in the Deqi state A functional MRI study

We compared the activities of functional regions of the brain in the Deqi versus non-Deqi state, as reported by physicians and subjects during acupuncture. Twelve healthy volunteers received sham and true needling at the Waiguan (TE5) acupoint. Real-time cerebral functional MRI showed that compared with non-sensation after sham needling, true needling activated Brodmann areas 3, 6, 8, 9, 10, 11, 13, 20, 21, 37, 39, 40, 43, and 47, the head of the caudate nucleus, the parahippocampal gyrus, thalamus and red nucleus. True needling also deactivated Brodmann areas 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 9, 10, 18, 24, 31, 40 and 46. Research Highlights The present study measured brain activity during true needling accompanied by Deqi sensation (soreness, numbness, heaviness, and distension) in physician and subjects, and compared it to brain activity accompanying non-sensation during sham needling. Functional MRI identified activated and deactivated brain areas in the Deqi state. Abbreviations fMRI, functional MRI; BA, Brodmann area