Neuroscience 2001 Abstract
| Presentation Number: | 774.16 |
|---|---|
| Abstract Title: | Forepaw Electrical Stimulation at a classical acupuncture point modulates cerebral dopaminergic tone -- a pharmacological MRI study. |
| Authors: |
Chen, Y. I.*1
; Hui, K.1
; Kong, J.1
; Jenkins, G.1
; Kwong, K. K.1
1NMR Center, Dept Radiology, Massachusetts General Hospital, Charlestown, MA |
| Primary Theme and Topics |
Neurological and Psychiatric Conditions - Addiction and Drugs of Abuse -- Amphetamines |
| Secondary Theme and Topics | Synaptic Transmission and Excitability<br />- Neurotransmitters<br />-- Catecholamines |
| Session: |
774. Addiction and drugs of abuse: amphetamines--dopamine and related pathways Poster |
| Presentation Time: | Wednesday, November 14, 2001 11:00 AM-12:00 PM |
| Location: | Exhibit Hall ZZ-24 |
| Keywords: | amphetamine, dopamine, acupuncture, electrical stimulation |
Introduction Microdialysis studies of rats have shown that electrical acupuncture can modulate dopamine (DA) concentrations (1). We conducted an animal imaging study using amphetamine (AMPH) to enhance DA concentration and then apply electrical stimulation (ES) to test the hypothesis that acupuncture may modulate DA tone.
Method Pharmacological MRI (phMRI) images were collected on rats as described earlier (2,3). AMPH(3mg/kg ip) was administrated and 20 minutes of ES was followed. ES was applied to 1: Hegu ((Acupoint LI4, dorsum of forepaw), 1mA/2Hz, n=5.) 2. Hegu (5 or 6 mA/2Hz, n=3). 3. Wrist (radial side, s.c., graded current:1, 3, 5mA/2Hz, n=2).
Results 1mA current at Hegu strongly attenuated the AMPH induced rCBV increase in frontal cortex, nucleus accumbens, insular cortex and dosolateral striatum. There was no blocking of signal increase on the ventrolateral striatum. 5 or 6mA current at Hegu or the graded current on the wrist had a much smaller blockade effect in most brain areas. Among all of the brain areas activated by AMPH, insular cortex was the only region in which the AMPH effect was strongly blocked under all 3 conditions
Discussion We demonstrated that electrical stimulation delivered under different conditions exerted different effects on the DA tone. It is thought that acupuncture should be performed at low intensity to produce modulatory actions. Modulation of the DA system may constitute one of the pathways by which acupuncture initiates its therapeutic effects.
1. Acupunct Electrother Res 24(2):81-6(1999).
2. Magn Reson Med.38(3):389-98(1997).
3. Neuroimage11(1):13-23(2000).
Method Pharmacological MRI (phMRI) images were collected on rats as described earlier (2,3). AMPH(3mg/kg ip) was administrated and 20 minutes of ES was followed. ES was applied to 1: Hegu ((Acupoint LI4, dorsum of forepaw), 1mA/2Hz, n=5.) 2. Hegu (5 or 6 mA/2Hz, n=3). 3. Wrist (radial side, s.c., graded current:1, 3, 5mA/2Hz, n=2).
Results 1mA current at Hegu strongly attenuated the AMPH induced rCBV increase in frontal cortex, nucleus accumbens, insular cortex and dosolateral striatum. There was no blocking of signal increase on the ventrolateral striatum. 5 or 6mA current at Hegu or the graded current on the wrist had a much smaller blockade effect in most brain areas. Among all of the brain areas activated by AMPH, insular cortex was the only region in which the AMPH effect was strongly blocked under all 3 conditions
Discussion We demonstrated that electrical stimulation delivered under different conditions exerted different effects on the DA tone. It is thought that acupuncture should be performed at low intensity to produce modulatory actions. Modulation of the DA system may constitute one of the pathways by which acupuncture initiates its therapeutic effects.
1. Acupunct Electrother Res 24(2):81-6(1999).
2. Magn Reson Med.38(3):389-98(1997).
3. Neuroimage11(1):13-23(2000).
Sample Citation:
[Authors]. [Abstract Title]. Program No. XXX.XX. 2001 Neuroscience Meeting Planner. San Diego, CA: Society for Neuroscience, 2001. Online.
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