Although De-qi sensation induced by acupuncture stimulation has been considered one of the conditions for good acupuncture effects, its physiological significance has not been clarified. Therefore, we examined the influence of De-qi sensation on the central nervous system (CNS) by measuring the event-related potential (ERP) induced by acupuncture stimulation.
Tests were conducted on nine healthy adult males. Acupuncture stimulation was given to these subjects, and ERPs were collected from three locations of the head, Fz, Cz, and Pz, using both ear lobes as reference electrodes. For control data, surface electric stimulation was given to the same subjects and ERPs were collected from the same locations. Acupuncture stimuli or electric stimuli were given to the left-side LI10 32 times at random intervals of 4 to 7 sec. To analyze ERPs, ERPs in response to 32 trials were averaged using a DP 1100 system (a signal processor made by NEC SANEI, LTD.).
The latency of the ERP triggered by acupuncture stimulation was approximately P350msec, while that of the ERP triggered by electric stimulation was found to be approximately P250msec, resulting in a difference of P100msec. These results suggest that the De-qi sensation induced by acupuncture stimulation may strongly influence the CNS functions, especially the processing recognition of CNS. It is suggested that this acupuncture stimuli related potential may not be p-LPC.

In dermatology, It is assumed that one of causes of alopecia androgenitica is progression of vellus transformation on scalp, and it is participated by teststerone, and, abnomal condition of autonomic nervous system or immuniy system is concerned with couses of alopecia areata. But, it cannot be denied that the influence of circulation of the blood on scalp and effect from mental condition upon alopecia.
We made an investigation of scalp and general conditions with 350 patients of terogen alopecia and 184 patients of catagen alopecia, for the purpouses of examining treatment method for alopecia with acupuncture therapy.
In the group of telogen alopecia, 86.3% of patients have a thin headskin, 85.3% of patients have a strained scalp. And 87.4% of patients have strained mussles on neck and shoulders. Acording to these coefficient of relevancy, it was appreciated that thin headskin and strained mussules on neck and shoulders are associated.
In the group of catagen alopecia, 73.9% of patients have some erythema on their scalp, 56.5% of patients have a edima on their scalp. And 59.2% of patients have skin hypersensitive symptoms on whole body. Then, association bitween edima and hypersensitivity of skin was appreciated.
The results assumed that the scalp symptpms that are related to aropecia and perticulor conditions of the body was associated. And if acupuncture therapy can inprove these conditions, It suggest possibility that acupuncture therapy has effect on alopecia.

The effects of electro-acupuncture on the regional cerebral blood flow (rCBF) and regional cerebral glucose utilization (rCMRglc) are unknown.
We examined the rCBF and rCMRglc in five normal adult volunteers and ten patients with cerebrovascular accident and brain tumor using positron emission tomography (PET) in order to investigate the effects of acupuncture on functions of central nerve system.
The stimulation by electro-acupuncture was performed on HOKU and SHOU-SANLI on one side. Electro-acupuncture was done for 10 minutes, at the frequency of 2Hz to cause a slight muscle twich. The rCBF and rCMRglc in volunteers were mearsured before and after electro-acupuncture stimulation.
The results are as follows;
1) On the OM45mm slice image, stimulation to HOKU and SHOU-SANLI on one side increased the rCBF and rCMRglc of frontal and temporal lobe on the opposite side of stimulation.
2) On the OM80mm slice image, electro-acupuncture incrased the rCBF and rCBFglc of frontal and temporal lobe on both the right and left side.
These results suggest that stimulation of electro-acupuncture may influences the rCBF and rCMRglc.

Objective:
There have been a few reports on the specificity of the meridians and Acupuncture-points. In order to identify the specific effects of the meridians and Acupuncture-points, the functional relations between “the gallbladder Meridian and gallbladder” were investigated using the gallbladder's form as an index.
Materials and Methods:
Ten healthy male adult volunteers participated in the experiments in fasting conditions. The target organ was the gallbladder, and its form was measured with the ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus (Toshiba SSA-90A). The images of the gallbladder form were taken at the point when the major long axis of the cross-section of the gallbladder reached the peak. The cross-sectional area of the gallbladder was measured with the image analyzer. The measurement of the gallbladder form was conducted after 15 minutes lying on the back, taking images for 10 minutes before stimulation, for 30 minutes during and after stimulation, every two to five minutes. The acupuncture stimulation was given at the points of G34, G36, G37, G40 and G44 on the right side of the body. After getting the deqi, 1 minute of sparrow pecking needle technique and 1 minute of leaving needle technique were conducted three times. The effect of the G40 under the egg yolk loading were also investigated.
Results:
1) The stimulation of the G34, G36, G37, and G44 showed no effects on the gallbladder form. 2) The stimulation of the G40 caused the distension of the gallbladder form. 3) The stimulation of the G40 showed the suppressive effect on the contraction of the gallbladder due to the load of egg yolk.
As described above, the results of this study showed that there is an acupuncture-point on the gallbladder meridian to cause the distension of the gallbladder specifically. It suggests the existence of the specificity of acupuncture-point.

Object: There is a saying in the classics as follows; “The key to acupuncture is to control Shén (the spirit)” (Emperor's Canon of Medicine). This saying emphasizes that control of the spirit is the fundamental principle of clinical application of acupuncture and moxibustion. The term “spirit” here implies function of the central nervous system in a broad sense. For the purpose of examining the effect of needle stimulation on the function of the central nervous system, research was conducted applying electroencephalographic (EEG) topography and positron CT.
Methods: The research was conducted on 30 subjects consisting of healthy adult volunteers and patients with various diseases. Two types of stimulation, electric needle stimulation and TEAS, were adopted. Sites of stimulation were IC₁₀ Shousanli-IC₄ Hoku, bilateral VF₁₂ Head-Wanku, and G₃₆ Tsusanli-LP₆ Shanyinchiao. Stimulation at a frequency of 2Hz was administered at such an intensity that a light muscular twitching was induced at the sites of stimulation. Electrization was conducted for 10-20 minutes. EEG topography was performed according to the ten-twenty electrode system. EEG was recorded by unipolar leads from 12 sites on the scalp, and was analyzed mainly on EEG topograms obtained before, during, and after the stimulation, using an EEG topography system (Nihon Denki Sanei Sokki Co.). Concerning positron CT, qualitative measurement (¹¹C-CO₂ and ¹¹C-glucose) and quantitative measurement (¹⁵O₂ and C¹⁵O₂) were conducted. Data was collected using HEADTOM (Shimazu Seisakujo Co.). The region of interest was identified in the brain using image processing apparatus for medical acupuncture use, and pictures obtained by positron CT before, during and after stimulation was analyzed.
Results:
1) Changes in EEG power of the EEG topogram were observed in all cortical regions, especially in the area from the frontal lobe to the occipital lobe. The subjects could be divided into two types, the type in which the power increased only in the α zone, and the type in which the power both increased in θ and α zones.
2) Positron CT revealed that “dé-qi” (the acupuncture feeling) transiently invigorates the paleocortex and the neocortex, and exerts influences on a wide range of cranial nervous cells via the A₁₀ nerve.
3) Variation in regional cerebral blood flow induced by the electric needle stimulation was 15-20ml/100g brain tissue/min on average.
Conclusion: Comfortable stimulation by the needle method is effective in eliminating disharmony between the neocortex and the paleocortex, regulating the function of the autonomic nerves, and stabilizing the spirit.

Objective: Very few studies have been reported on the specific functions of individual meridians and acupuncture points. We examined the functional relations between “the gallbladder Meredian and gallbladder” using the gallbladder's form as an index, in older to identify the specific functions of individual meridians and acupuncture points.
Subjects and Methods: This study was made on five healthy male adult volunteers who fasted during the experiment day.
The gallbladder was selected as the target organ and its form was measured with an ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus (Toshiba SSA-90A). The images of the gallbladder form were taken at the pointwhen the major axis of the cross-sectional area of the gallbladder was maxium. The cross-sectional area of the gallbladder was measured with an image analyzer. The gallbladder form was measured 15 minutes after the subject had lied on his back. Images were taken at intervals of 2 to 5 minutes 10 minutes before stimulation and for 30 minutes during and after stimulation. Acupuncture stimulation was given at the points of C34. Dannang, G36, G37, G40, and G44 on the right side of the body. After getting the degi, 1 minute of sparrow picking needle technique and 1 minute of leaving needle technique were repeated three times.
Results: 1) Stimulation of the G34, G36, G37, and G44 gave no effects on the gallbladder form. 2) Stimulation of the Dannang (EX) produced contraction of the gallbladder. 3) Stimulation of the G40 produced distension of the gallbladder. From the above results, we found that there two types of acupuncture points; one causes contraction of the gallbladder, and the other, distension of the gallbladder. This suggests that individual acupuncture points have specific functions.