Cortical Mapping of Scalp Acupoints: A Pilot Magnetic Resonance Imaging Study

Background: Scalp acupuncture is a form of noninvasive brain stimulation used in the treatment of neurological and psychological conditions. One proposed mechanism involves stereotactic stimulation targeting specific cerebral and cerebellar cortical regions. However, the precise acupoint-to-brain correspondence for each scalp acupoint remains unclear. Objective: The acupoint-to-brain correspondence of 40 acupoints (total of 69 symmetrical acupoints) located on the scalp was systematically examined. Methods: High-resolution whole-brain anatomical images were acquired across 11 subjects (6 males/5 females; age range 27–51 years, mean age ± standard deviation [SD] = 37.4 ± 8.7 years) with a T1 magnetization-prepared rapid gradient echo sequence. Anatomical images were reconstructed into 3D space, and Montreal Neurological Institute (MNI) coordinates were obtained for cortical trajectories of each acupoint and averaged across participants. Mean MNI coordinates were used to determine the corresponding cortical subregions and associated Brodmann areas for each scalp acupoint using established automated atlases. Results: The acupoint-to-brain mapping generated by our study is the first attempt to standardize cerebral and cerebellar anatomy for scalp acupoints. Conclusions: This standardized acupoint-to-brain map provides a neuroanatomical foundation for scalp acupuncture, potentially enhancing its clinical application in neurological and psychological treatments.