The Neurophysiology of the Reticular Formation as a Probable Substrate for the CNS Effects of Acupuncture

Journal/Book: Deutsche Zeitschrift für Akupunktur. 1991; 34/05: 106-109.

Abstract: Acupuncutre is a more or less specific stimulation therapy, the effects of which are at least on 4 levels: 1. Local, ath the point of stimulation, 2. segmental, hypersegmental and supraspinal, 3. in the modification of behaviour, 4. in the modification of the interaction of conscious and subconscious processes. In searching for a substrate which is able to modulate such a wide range of functions, we regularly came across reticular structures at all levels of the nervous system. Reticular networks modulate all sensory inputs to the nervous system at their different central levels of transmission and processing. This has been demonstrated in many experiments using electrodes inserted into the reticular formation (RF) for its localize stimulation. We are convinced that such a widespread cellular network such as the RF is involved at all segments and levels of the CNS. It participates in the analysis, integration and modulation and in the regulation of the output to any function of the organism. The RF also plays an improtant role in well known phenomenon of sensitization. There is no substrate which is more suited to realize the amplification of more or less selective acupuncture effects than the RF whith its different biochemical transmitters and peptitdes. Further investigations of the effects of acupuncture should include this aspect because most of the properties of the functions of the RF are very similar to many phenomena observed during and after acupuncture. Nevertheless, we must consider that any form of therapy acts on the whole organism, thus integration all levels of action, including the reticular formation.

Keyword(s): reticuläre Formation, Neurotransmitter, funktionelle Plastizität, Theorie der Akupunktur

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