Quantitative analysis of cerebrovascular characteristics of Parkinson’s disease treated with acupuncture based on magnetic resonance angiography

• DOI: 10.26599/bsa.2021.9050015
• Publication Date: 2021-11-01T04:52:00Z
• Authors: Yuan Yang; Le He; Suhua Miao; Rongsong Zhou; Yuqi Zhang; Yu Ma
• Keywords: Magnetic resonance angiography; Anterior cerebral artery

Background: Acupuncture has become an important alternative clinical treatment for Parkinson’s disease (PD), but its efficacy and the underlying mechanisms remain debatable. Using a newly developed magnetic resonance angiography (MRA) method that higher sensitivity smaller distal vessels novel tool can trace extract vascular features, immediate effects of acupuncture on intracranial blood flow in patients with PD as well correlations outcomes were quantitatively evaluated. Methods: Fifteen received at Dazhui Fengchi acupoint positions. MRA was performed before after 30 min treatment. The cerebral (CBF) length, volume, diameter, signal intensity internal carotid artery (ICA) middle (MCA) measured. Unified Disease Rating Scale part III (UPDRS-III) Visual Analogue (VAS) used to evaluate motor symptoms subjective feelings discomfort. Results: significantly reduced UPDRS-III VAS scores. No significant changes noted overall CBF However, there extension effect length ICA MCA MCA, increase number branches found. Although tended total volume no statistical significance reached. not altered, diameter M1 segment increased, whereas decreased. A positive correlation between Conclusions: Angiographic evaluation suggested had vessels, which is one possible mechanism improving PD.