Abstract
We used positron emission tomography (PET) and the 18-flourodeoxyglucose tracer to study cerebral effects of complementary acupuncture in Parkinson's disease. Five patients received scalp-acupuncture and Madopa, while the other five had Madopa only. PET scans before and after 5 weeks of complementary acupuncture treatment show increased glucose metabolisms in parietal, temporal, occipital lobes, the thalamus, and the cerebellum in the light-diseased hemisphere, and in parietal and occipital lobes of the severe-diseased hemisphere. No changes were observed in the Madopa-only group. Acupuncture in combination with Madopa may improve cerebral glucose metabolism in Parkinson's disease.
Publication types
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Research Support, U.S. Gov't, Non-P.H.S.
MeSH terms
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Acupuncture Therapy*
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Aged
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Antiparkinson Agents / therapeutic use
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Benserazide / therapeutic use
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Brain Chemistry / physiology*
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Combined Modality Therapy
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Drug Combinations
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Energy Metabolism / physiology
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Female
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Fluorodeoxyglucose F18
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Glucose / metabolism
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Humans
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Image Processing, Computer-Assisted
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Levodopa / therapeutic use
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Male
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Middle Aged
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Parkinson Disease / diagnostic imaging
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Parkinson Disease / metabolism*
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Parkinson Disease / therapy*
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Positron-Emission Tomography
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Radiopharmaceuticals
Substances
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Antiparkinson Agents
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Drug Combinations
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Radiopharmaceuticals
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benserazide, levodopa drug combination
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Fluorodeoxyglucose F18
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Levodopa
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Benserazide
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Glucose