Instant sedative effect of acupuncture at GV20 on the frequency of electroencephalogram α and β waves in a model of sleep deprivation
Li J, Ran X, Cui C, Xiang C, Zhang A, Shen F · Experimental and Therapeutic Medicine · 2018 May 02
DOI 10.3892/etm.2018.6123
Objective
To investigate the immediate effect of acupuncture at GV20 on insomnia-related electroencephalogram alpha and beta wave frequencies in a rat model of sleep deprivation.
Conclusions
Acupuncture at GV20 increased alpha wave frequency and decreased beta wave frequency, suggesting that it may reduce cerebral cortical excitability and have a sedative effect in sleep-deprived rats.
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Insights
Acupuncture at the crown of the head rapidly shifted sleep-deprived rats’ brain activity toward a calmer pattern, unlike sham treatment.
Male rats underwent sleep deprivation using a multiple-platform method, while a separate group remained normally fed and rested. Brain electrical activity was recorded in all groups before treatment, then rats received either acupuncture at the crown point or stimulation at a sham point while further recordings measured alpha and beta brain-wave frequencies.
Sleep deprivation reduced alpha-wave frequency and increased beta-wave frequency, indicating greater cerebral cortical excitability. Acupuncture at the crown point reversed both changes during treatment, whereas sham-point stimulation produced no comparable effect, suggesting a rapid sedative influence on sleep-deprivation-related brain activity.
