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

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.

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. )