Electroacupuncture on the Ophthalmic Branch of the Trigeminal Nerve Affects Cerebral Blood Flow in the Frontopolar Cortex During Mental Arithmetic: A Randomized Crossover Trial
- 1 February 2023
- journal article
- research article
- Published by Mary Ann Liebert Inc in Medical Acupuncture
- Vol. 35 (1), 22-28
- https://doi.org/10.1089/acu.2022.0059
Abstract
Objective: The aim of this study was to examine the effect of cerebral blood flow (CBF) in the frontopolar cortex (FPC) during mental arithmetic tasks by 0.2 mA electroacupuncture (EA) stimulation of the trigeminal nerve's ophthalmic branch. Materials and Methods: This study was a crossover, randomized clinical trial. The participants (19) were divided into a control and an EA group, and both groups performed 10-minute mental-arithmetic tasks. Subsequently, the control group was seated for 5 minutes, while the EA group received EA stimulated at 0.2 mA, 100 Hz, for 5 minutes. Then, the mental-arithmetic tasks were repeated. The primary outcome was oxygenated hemoglobin (OxyHb) levels in the FPC during the mental-arithmetic tasks. Data from 15 of the original 19 participants were analyzed. Results: EA stimulation elevated OxyHb levels significantly. In the right FPC, this occurred in channel (Ch) 4 and 6 (P < 0.05) and Ch 3 (P < 0.01). In the left FPC, this occurred in Ch 10 and 15 (P < 0.05) and Ch 11 and 14 (P < 0.01). EA stimulation affected Ch 11 especially. There was also a significant positive correlation between OxyHb levels during the mental-arithmetic tasks in Ch 11 and changes in the numbers of answers and correct answers (ρ = 0.48; P < 0.05). Conclusions: These results suggest that 0.2 mA EA stimulation increased OxyHb levels in the FPC, particularly associated with increased CBF in the left FPC. Furthermore, the OxyHb levels in the left FPC positively correlated with the changes in the numbers of answers and correct answers.Keywords
This publication has 32 references indexed in Scilit:
- Decoding the Dopamine Signal in Macaque Prefrontal Cortex: A Simulation Study Using the Cx3Dp SimulatorPLOS ONE, 2013
- Anxiety and Performance: The Disparate Roles of Prefrontal Subregions Under Maintained Psychological StressCerebral Cortex, 2013
- Oxygen Inhibits Neuronal Activation in the Trigeminocervical Complex After Stimulation of Trigeminal Autonomic Reflex, But Not During Direct Dural Activation of Trigeminal AfferentsHeadache: The Journal of Head and Face Pain, 2009
- Circulatory basis of fMRI signals: relationship between changes in the hemodynamic parameters and BOLD signal intensityNeuroImage, 2004
- The Pharmacology of Nitric Oxide in the Peripheral Nervous System of Blood VesselsPharmacological Reviews, 2003
- Inhibition of Nitric Oxide Synthase Attenuates the Cerebral Blood Flow Response to Stimulation of Postganglionic Parasympathetic Nerves in the RatJournal of Cerebral Blood Flow & Metabolism, 1993
- Origins and Pathways of Choline Acetyltransferase—Positive Parasympathetic Nerve Fibers to Cerebral Vessels in RatJournal of Cerebral Blood Flow & Metabolism, 1990
- Selective Electrical Stimulation of Postganglionic Cerebrovascular Parasympathetic Nerve Fibers Originating from the Sphenopalatine Ganglion Enhances Cortical Blood Flow in the RatJournal of Cerebral Blood Flow & Metabolism, 1990
- Effect on cortical blood flow of electrical stimulation of trigeminal cerebrovascular nerve fibres in the ratActa Physiologica Scandinavica, 1990
- Origins and Pathways of Cerebrovascular Vasoactive Intestinal Polypeptide-Positive Nerves in RatJournal of Cerebral Blood Flow & Metabolism, 1988