Formation mechanism of propagated sensation along the meridians, as verified by cortical somatosensory-evoked potential topographic maps

摘要

The peripheral driver stimulating theory states that as a driver passes along a certain meridian during acupuncture;the driver provokes nerve sense devices along the meridian,resulting in the nerve impulse entering the central nervous system.Accordingly,volunteers have reported propagated sensations along the meridians (PSM).The present study was designed to utilize a cortical somatosensory-evoked potential (CSEP) topographic map for determining whether stimulation expansion occurs in somatosensory area I when sensation was provoked in individuals with obvious PSM.The sensation was blocked by mechanical compression,and the sensation was imitated in individuals without PSM.Results revealed a red,high-potential signal in the representative area of the lower limbs in individuals with obvious PSM symptoms when the Gall Bladder Meridian (GBM) sensation passed to the head and face.This representative area was near the middle line of the CSEP topographic map,and a red,high-potential signal,which jumps over the representative area of the upper limbs,also appeared in the representative face area,which was at the external region of the CSEP topographic map.However,in individuals exhibiting no PSM,only a red high-potential signal appeared in the representative lower limb area.When Hegu (LI 4) was stimulated in individuals without PSM,an obvious evoked response appeared only in the representative upper limb area.However,when Hegu was stimulated in individuals exhibiting PSM,the response area was larger in the representative upper limb area and extended to the representative face area.When Guangming (GB 37) was stimulated in PSM individuals,the face representation response disappeared and was confined to a foot representation of the somatosensory area I when PSM was blocked by mechanical pressure.Results suggested that mechanical compression blocked PSM,and corresponding changes were exhibited in the CSEP topographic map.These results provide compelling evidence for the hypothesis that peripheral driver stimulation is the key element in producing PSM.