The Application of the Neural Tracer Technique to Acupuncture Studies / 上海针灸杂志

ABSTRACT

The neuroanatomical basis of meridian effects is one of the focuses of acupuncture mechanism studies. Meridian effects depend mainly on the generation, conduction, integration and output of acupuncture information in the acupoint, spinal cord and brain.The neural tracer technique is a basic method in neurobiology. This article presents recent years' advances in the application of the neural tracer technique to acupuncture field and summarizes the types of neural tracer used in acupuncture studies and regularities in the distribution of neurons and their fibers related to labeled meridians and acupoints in spinal segments and brain regions to provide methodological reference for studies on neurobiological mechanism of acupuncture effects.