S1 Brain Connectivity in Carpal Tunnel Syndrome Underlies Median Nerve and Functional Improvement Following Electro-Acupuncture
Fisher H, Sclocco R, Maeda Y, Kim J, Malatesta C, Gerber J, Audette J, Kettner N, Napadow V · Frontiers in Neurology · 2021 October 27
DOI 10.3389/fneur.2021.754670
Objective
We investigated S1-associated whole brain fMRI connectivity during both a resting and sustained electro-acupuncture (EA) stimulation state in age-matched healthy controls (N = 28) and CTS patients (N = 64), at baseline and after 8 weeks of acupuncture therapy (local, distal, or sham EA).
Conclusions
In summary, we have demonstrated that Carpal Tunnel Syndrome (CTS) pathology and electro-acupuncture (EA) therapy affect functional connectivity not only within S1 regions, but also between S1 and subcortical regions such as the pulvinar and anterior hippocampus. Furthermore, we provide evidence that assessing functional connectivity not just during rest but also during EA application can reveal novel insights into brain-focused mechanisms supporting peripheral neuromodulation therapy.
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