Brain Activity Changes Measured by EEG and fMRI on Healthy Volunteers After Complex Somatosensory Stimulation

Study Overview
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Brief Summary
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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
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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.

Official Title
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Brain Activity Changes Measured by EEG and fMRI on Healthy Volunteers After Complex Somatosensory Stimulation With Acupuncture Needles

Conditions
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Healthy Volunteers

Intervention / Treatment
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* Other: needle stimulation


Participation Criteria
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Eligibility Criteria
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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. )

Ages Eligible for Study
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Minimum Age: 18 Years
Maximum Age: 40 Years

Sexes Eligible for Study
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All

Accepts Healthy Volunteers
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Accepts Healthy Volunteers

Study Plan
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How is the study designed?
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Design Details

Primary Purpose: Basic Science
Allocation: Randomized
Intervention Model: Crossover Assignment
Masking: Single


Arms and Interventions

| Intervention/Treatment |
| --- |
|Other: needle stimulation|stimulation with acupuncture needles|

What is the study measuring?
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Primary Outcome Measures

| Outcome Measure | Measure Description | Time Frame |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Change in brain background rhythms after stimulation (baseline vs. post stimulation) in comparison between the three different point locations. |  | 26 minutes | 
| Changes in resting state functional connectivity after stimulation (baseline vs. post-stimulation) in comparison between the three different point locations |  | 1 hour | 

 Terms related to the study
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Keywords Provided by Centre Hospitalier Valida
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basic science, healthy volunteers