Influence of acupuncture stimulation on cerebral network in functional diarrhea

Abstract

Acupuncture is a commonly used therapy for treating functional diarrhea (FD), although there is limited knowledge on the mechanism. The objectives of this study were to investigate the differences in brain activities elicited by acupuncture between FD patients and healthy controls (HC) so as to explore the possible mechanism. Eighteen FD patients and eighteen HC received 10 sessions of acupuncture treatment at ST25 acupoints. Functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI) scans were, respectively, performed before and after acupuncture. The defecation frequency, Bristol stool form scale (SBFS), and MOS 36-item Short Healthy Survey (SF-36) were employed to evaluate the clinical efficacy. After acupuncture, the FD patients showed a significant decrease in defecation frequency and BSFS score. The regional homogeneity (ReHo) map showed a decrease in the paracentral lobule and postcentral gyrus, and an increase in the angular gyrus, insula, anterior cingulate cortex (ACC), and precuneus in the FD group. Moreover, the changes in ReHo values in the ACC were correlated with the reduction in defecation frequency. Decreasing functional connectivity among the ACC, insula, thalamus, and orbital frontal cortex only existed in the FD group. Conclusively, acupuncture alleviated defecation frequency and improved stool formation in FD patients. The efficacy might result from the regulation of the homeostasis afferent processing network.

Figure 1

(a) Location of acupoints, (b) experimental paradigm.

Figure 2

Regional homogeneity (ReHo) changes in functional diarrhea (FD) patients and healthy controls (HC) after acupuncture (P < 0.05, family-wise error corrected).

Figure 3

The correlation coefficients of Regional homogeneity (ReHo) and clinical variables. (a) In the functional diarrhea (FD) group, compared with preacupuncture, the defecation frequency postacupuncture was significantly decreased (P < 0.001). (b) In the FD group, the change in defecation frequency was significantly related to the ReHo increase in the left ACC. ACC: anterior cingulate cortex; L: left; r: correlation coefficient; P: P value; *P < 0.001.

Figure 4

Functional connectivity network of ACC-L changes in functional diarrhea (FD) patients and healthy controls (HC) after treatment (P < 0.05, family-wise error corrected). ACC: anterior cingulate cortex; L: left.