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Acupuncture modulates resting state connectivity in default and sensorimotor brain networks

By Van Harding | Published October 29, 2014

Journal for the International study of PAIN
Volume 136, Issue 3 , Pages 407-418, 15 June 2008

Acupuncture modulates resting state connectivity in default and sensorimotor brain networks

Rupali P. Dhond,  Calvin Yeh,  Kyungmo Park,  Norman Ketter,  Vitally Napadow

 

Abstract

Previous studies have defined low-frequency, spatially consistent networks in resting fMRI data which may reflect functional connectivity. We sought to explore how a complex somatosensory stimulation, acupuncture, influences intrinsic connectivity in two of these networks: the default mode network (DMN) and sensorimotor network (SMN).

We analyzed resting fMRI data taken before and after verum and sham acupuncture. Electrocardiography data were used to infer autonomic modulation through measures of heart rate variability (HRV). Probabilistic independent component analysis was used to separate resting fMRI data into DMN and SMN components.

Following verum, but not sham, acupuncture there was increased DMN connectivity with pain (anterior cingulate cortex (ACC), periaqueductal gray), affective (amygdala, ACC), and memory (hippocampal formation, middle temporal gyrus) related brain regions. Furthermore, increased DMN connectivity with the hippocampal formation, a region known to support memory and interconnected with autonomic brain regions, was negatively correlated with acupuncture-induced increase in a sympathetic related HRV metric (LFu), and positively correlated with a parasympathetic related metric (HFu).

Following verum, but not sham, acupuncture there was also increased SMN connectivity with pain-related brain regions (ACC, cerebellum). We attribute differences between verum and sham acupuncture to more varied and stronger sensations evoked by verum acupuncture.

Our results demonstrate for the first time that acupuncture can enhance the post-stimulation spatial extent of resting brain networks to include anti-nociceptive, memory, and affective brain regions. This modulation and sympathovagal response may relate to acupuncture analgesia and other potential therapeutic effects.

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Journal for the International Study of Pain

About the Authors

    • Rupali P. Dhond

      Affiliations

      • MGH/MIT/HMS Martinos Center for Biomedical Imaging, Massachusetts General Hospital, Charlestown, Boston, MA 02129, USA
      • Department of Radiology, Logan College of Chiropractic, Chesterfield, MO, USA

,

    • Calvin Yeh

      Affiliations

      • MGH/MIT/HMS Martinos Center for Biomedical Imaging, Massachusetts General Hospital, Charlestown, Boston, MA 02129, USA

,

    • Kyungmo Park

      Affiliations

      • MGH/MIT/HMS Martinos Center for Biomedical Imaging, Massachusetts General Hospital, Charlestown, Boston, MA 02129, USA
      • Department of Biomedical Engineering, Kyunghee University, Yongin, Republic of Korea

,

    • Norman Kettner

      Affiliations

      • Department of Radiology, Logan College of Chiropractic, Chesterfield, MO, USA

,

  • Vitaly Napadow

    Affiliations

    • MGH/MIT/HMS Martinos Center for Biomedical Imaging, Massachusetts General Hospital, Charlestown, Boston, MA 02129, USA
    • Department of Radiology, Logan College of Chiropractic, Chesterfield, MO, USA
    • Corresponding Author InformationCorresponding author. Address: MGH/MIT/HMS Martinos Center for Biomedical Imaging, Massachusetts General Hospital, Charlestown, Boston, MA 02129, USA. Tel./fax: +1 617 724 3402.

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