Scalp acupuncture targets for neurological disordersï¼evidence from neuroimaging studies (part 1).

Zhang, Bin-Long; Liu, Jiao; Cui, Fang-Yuan; Cao, Jin; Yu, Si-Yi; Kong, Qiao; Kong, Jian

ABSTRACT

OBJECTIVES:

Scalp acupuncture is a unique acupuncture method developed based on brain functional and pathophysiological knowledge. In past decades, there has been significant development in the understanding of the brain pathology of many neurological disorders through cutting-edge brain imaging techniques. Yet, these findings have not been incorporated into scalp acupuncture. In the present paper, we aimed to initiate an attempt to develop/identify scalp acupuncture targets based on neuroimaging findings.

METHODS:

Based on the meta-analysis of neuroimaging studies in the Neurosynth database platform (httpï¼//neurosynth.org/), the brain clusters related to neurological disorders were automatically identified according to the search terms "Parkinson's disease"(PD), "chronic pain"(CP), "aphasia"(APH), "dyslexia"(DYS), "mild cognitive impairment", "Alzheimer's disease" and "dementia". Subsequently, the discovered brain region clusters projected onto the brain surface and scalp surface were listed, and the peak points of the clusters projected to the scalp surface were proposed as the potential stimulation targets for the corresponding diseases. Further, by combining the traditional scalp acupoints (including the scalp acupuncture lines) with 10-20 EEG system sites, we made localization suggestions for scalp stimulation targets and made acupuncture operation suggestions by combining with the shape of the brain region clusters. The literature search was conducted on July 30, 2022.

RESULTS:

The localization and manipulation suggestions of neuroimage-based scalp acupuncture targets were introduced in two parts. This part (part 1) includes PD, CP, APH, and DYS. Here are 3 target examples of each of these 4 diseases simply introduced due to word limitation. 1) PD. Based on the 175 articles retrieved from Neurosynth, we identified 7 potential scalp acupuncture targets for PD, the locations of the acupuncture stimulation and the recommended acupuncture needle operation (RANO) as well as the corresponding brain regions (CBRs) respectively are as below. PD1ï¼about 0.5 cun (1 cun≈33.3 mm) superior-posterior to the left Xuanlu (GB5)ï¼puncturing subcutaneously and forward-upwardï¼the left premotor area, subfrontal cortex of the island, inferior frontal gyrus and middle frontal gyrus. PD2ï¼about 1 cun lateral-inferior to the left Chengling (GB18)ï¼puncturing subcutaneously and backward-upwardï¼the inferior parietal lobule and postcentral gyrus. PD3ï¼about 0.5 cun lateral-anterior to the left GB18ï¼puncturing subcutaneously and inward-backwardï¼left anterior central gyrus and posterior central gyrus. 2) CP. Based on the retrieved 92 articles, we identified 8 potential scalp acupuncture targets, the location of the acupuncture stimulation and the RANO, and CBRs respectively are as below. CP1ï¼about 1 cun anterior-inferior to the left Xuanli (GB8)ï¼puncturing subcutaneously and backward-inwardsï¼the left inferior frontal gyrus orbitalis and pars triangularis. CP2ï¼about 0.5 cun posterior-superior to the left GB5ï¼puncturing subcutaneously and forward-upwardï¼the left anterior central gyrus and premotor area. CP3ï¼about 0.5 cun posterior-superior to the left GB8ï¼puncturing subcutaneously and forwardï¼left inferior central area/central sulci operculum (second somatosensory area). 3) APH. Based on the retrieved 82 papers, we identified 7 potential scalp acupuncture targets for APH, their locations, RANO, and CBRs respectively are as below. APH1ï¼close to the left GB5ï¼puncturing subcutaneously and forward-downwardï¼left subfrontal gyrus operculi/triangularis. APH2ï¼about 0.5 cun posterior to the left Hanyan (GB4)ï¼puncturing subcutaneously and backward-upwardï¼the left anterior central gyrus and posterior central gyrus. APH3ï¼about 0.5 cun anterior-inferior to the left Qubin (GB7)ï¼puncturing subcutaneously and backward-downwardï¼left medial/superior temporal gyrus. 4) DYS. Based on the retrieved 76 researches, we identified 8 potential scalp acupuncture targets for DYS, their locations, RANO and CBRs respectively are as below. DYS1ï¼about 1 cun anterior-inferior to the left GB5ï¼puncturing subcutaneously and forward-upwardï¼the pars triangularis of the left inferior frontal gyrus. DYS2ï¼about 0.5 cun posterior-superior to the left GB5ï¼puncturing subcutaneously and forward-downwardï¼the left subfrontal gyrus operculum, pars triangularis and anterior central gyrus. DYS3ï¼the midpoint between the left GB5 and GB18ï¼puncturing subcutaneously and forwardï¼the left anterior central gyrus and posterior central gyrus.

CONCLUSIONS:

We identified scalp acupuncture targets for several common neurological disorders based on neuroimaging evidence for clinical application and research. The proposed targets may also be used for treating these disorders using brain stimulation methods.