OBJECTIVETo observe the characteristic of the fMRI brain map in patients undergoing needling at Zusanli (ST36) by reinforcing method for exploring the essence of Meridian-Collaterals and the mechanisms of acupuncture in treating diseases.

METHODSTwenty-six healthy volunteers were randomly assigned to two groups by double blinded method, 16 in the acupoint group and 10 in the non-acupoint group. Using GE Signa 1. 5 T superconducting MRI system, the fMRI was performed with Gradient echo-EPI sequence. Post-processing of fMRI data was performed using the Functool software (GE-ADW4.0) to generate positive correlation coefficient brain functional activating images and the data was analyzed statistically using SPSS 13.0 software.

RESULTSBrain functional area was elicited in 13 out of the 15 patients in the acupoint group and 10 in the non-acupoint group. Among them, the temporal elicited area in the acupoint group showed specificity (Fisher's Exact test, P = 0.022) and only the difference in contralateral hemisphere activation rate was of statistical significance (McNemer test, P = 0.020).

CONCLUSIONAcupoints has its own specific brain activated areas. The therapeutic effect of acupoint might be mediated through brain to treat diseases and regulate functional disorder of organs. There exists special transmission channel of meridian.