Neurol Res. 1999 Jun; 21(4): 373-7.

Ultrasound-monitored effects of acupuncture on brain and eye.

Litscher G, Wang L, Yang NH, Schwarz G.

Department of Anesthesiology and Critical Care, University of Graz, Austria.

A new transcranial Doppler sonography arrangement was used to monitor blood flow profiles in the supratrochlear and middle cerebral arteries simultaneously and continuously. The technique selectively demonstrated the specific effect of acupuncture on the cranial arteries, in a 25-year-old female with pigmentary retinopathy. Stimulation of points Zanzhu and Yuyao led to a marked increase of blood flow velocity in the supratrochlear artery and to a decrease of flow velocity, in the middle cerebral artery. These acupuncture-induced effects were reproducible even though both arteries originate from the same major vessel.