Brain Activity Changes Measured by EEG and fMRI on Healthy Volunteers After Complex Somatosensory Stimulation With Acupuncture Needles
Overview
- Phase
- Not Applicable
- Intervention
- Not specified
- Conditions
- Healthy Volunteers
- Sponsor
- Charite University, Berlin, Germany
- Enrollment
- 20
- Locations
- 1
- Primary Endpoint
- Change in brain background rhythms after stimulation (baseline vs. post stimulation) in comparison between the three different point locations.
- Status
- Completed
- Last Updated
- 13 years ago
Overview
Brief Summary
The purpose of this study is to evaluate effects on the brain after complex somatosensory stimulation with acupuncture needle. EEG and fMRI measurements will be performed.
Detailed Description
The aim of the study is to evaluate whether the point locations chosen for a complex somatosensory stimulation with acupuncture needles have an essential impact on the change of brain activity in healthy volunteers. For this, the investigators compare three different point locations (one acupuncture point and two non-acupuncture points) stimulated with acupuncture needles. Two measurements each with 20 subjects are planned. * With the EEG measurements the impact of the stimulation's location on background rhythm especially in the somatosensoric cortex is evaluated. * With the fMRI (functional magnetic resonance imaging) measurements the impact of the stimulation's location on BOLD (Blood Oxygen Level Dependency) signals and on functional connectivity is evaluated.
Investigators
Claudia M. Witt
Prof. Dr. med.
Charite University, Berlin, Germany
Eligibility Criteria
Inclusion Criteria
- •healthy subjects of age from 18 to 40 years (inclusive)
- •right-handed (evaluated by "The Edinburgh Inventory")
- •with informed consent signed
- •no acupuncture treatment in the last 12 months
- •no medical knowledge about acupuncture
- •free time to take part in the measurements
Exclusion Criteria
- •history of neurological and/or psychiatric diseases
- •history of brain injury
- •cognitive handicap, severe speech disorder, alcohol or drug abuse
- •history of neurosurgical intervention
- •chronic disease (e.g., asthma, diabetes mellitus etc.) with regular use of medications
- •pregnancy (tested by urine pregnancy test before the measurement) or planned pregnancy
- •any contraindication for acupuncture (e.g., anti-coagulation therapy)
- •Additional exclusion criteria for fMRI measurement:
- •any contraindication for MRI (e.g., pacemaker, claustrophobia, cochlear implant, metallic implants etc. )
Outcomes
Primary Outcomes
Change in brain background rhythms after stimulation (baseline vs. post stimulation) in comparison between the three different point locations.
Time Frame: 26 minutes
Changes in resting state functional connectivity after stimulation (baseline vs. post-stimulation) in comparison between the three different point locations
Time Frame: 1 hour