Cerebral blood flow and functional connectivity immediate changes following intradermal acupuncture in major depressive disorder

Background: Acupuncture has been increasingly applied as an adjunctive treatment for major depressive disorder (MDD), yet its central neurobiological mechanisms remain insufficiently understood. Cerebral blood flow (CBF) and functional connectivity strength (FCS) provide complementary perspectives on regional metabolic activity and large-scale functional integration, and their coupling may reflect neurovascular coordination relevant to depression. Methods: Twenty patients with MDD and twenty matched healthy controls (HC) underwent resting-state MRI. Patients received intradermal acupuncture (IA) and were scanned before and immediately after stimulation, while healthy controls were scanned once. Voxel-wise analyses of CBF, FCS, and their ratio (CBF/FCS) were performed to characterize acupuncture-related changes in neurovascular coupling. Group comparisons and pre-post acupuncture effects were assessed at the whole gray matter level. Results: Acupuncture induced significant alterations in CBF/FCS coupling across widespread brain regions, including the bilateral precuneus, postcentral gyrus, superior temporal pole, superior frontal gyrus, occipital cortex, and cerebellum. These regions are primarily involved in sensorimotor processing, cognitive control, and emotional regulation. Overall, IA was associated with an immediate increase in CBF/FCS coupling, suggesting enhanced coordination between cerebral perfusion and functional network integration. Conclusion: This study provides evidence that intradermal acupuncture modulates neurovascular coupling in patients with MDD, offering neuroimaging-based insights into its antidepressant mechanisms. The findings support the notion that acupuncture may facilitate more efficient brain function by optimizing the balance between neural activity and metabolic supply.