Research appearing in PLoS One (2010 Sept 7; 5(9)) looked at the effect stimulation of acupuncture points had on the brain. The subjects were 10 healthy individuals who were treated with laser acupuncture on four points that are commonly used to treat depression. Functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI) was used to assess the neurologic effects of the acupuncture treatments. The researchers determined that the effect the acupuncture treatment had on the brain was not due to simple sensory stimulation because areas of the brain became more activated on the side of acupuncture stimulation but they were actually sedated on the side opposite of the acupuncture treatment. Treating the acupuncture points (LR-14, HT-7, CV-14, and LR-8) activated certain areas of the brain (frontal-limbic-striatal regions). Differing activity patterns depending on the acupoint site were demonstrated, suggesting that neurological effects vary with the site of stimulation. The mechanisms of activation and deactivation and their effects on depression warrant further investigation.
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