Table 1.
The role of acupuncture on the nuclei of the central nervous system
| The nuclei | Acupoint | Function | Ref. |
| Brain stem | |||
| DVC | ST36, ST37 | Activate neurons discharge | [123] |
| DVC | RN12, BL21 | Increase fos expression | [126] |
| DVC | RN12, BL21 | Motilin and gastrin | [190] |
| DVC | ST36 | Inhibited the release of SP | [133] |
| DVC | ST36 | Increased the expression of astrocytic and microglial | [138] |
| DMV | PC6 | Modulate vagovagal neurocircuits | [44] |
| DMV | ST36 | Modulate vagovagal neurocircuits | [45] |
| NTS and DMV | ST36, T25 | Increased the number of c-Fos immunopositive cells | [150] |
| The cerebellum | |||
| FN | ST36, LI11, BL21, and CV12 | Elevate the spontaneous discharge | [159] |
| MV | ST36, LI11, and BL21 | Modulated the activity of GD neurons | [176] |
| The hypothalamus | |||
| PVN | BL23, BL18, LR14, GB25, GB24, LR13, DU14 | Activate CRH-like neurons; modulate the expression of CRH and the GR | [182] |
| PVN | ST36 and PC6 | Decreased the numbers of double-labeled OT neurons and c-fos neurons | [187] |
| LHA | ST36 | Abolished the inhibitory reaction induced by GD | [170,199] |
| LHA | ST36, ST25 | Modulate the levels of NA, serotonin (5-HT), and the activity of ATPases | [200] |
| LHA | ST36 and ST25 | Alter the activity of the glucose-sensitive neurons | [201] |
| ARC | ST36, SP6 | Increased α-MSH and POMC | [218] |
| ARC | SP6, ST36 | Regulates the expression of neuropeptide Y and POMC neurons | [220] |
DVC: Dorsal vagal complex; DMV: Dorsal motor nucleus; NTS: Solitary tract nucleus; SP: Substance P; FN: Fastigial nucleus; MV: Medial vestibular nucleus; GD: Gastric distention; PVN: Paraventricular nucleus of the hypothalamus; LHA: Lateral hypothalamic area; ARC: Arcuate nucleus; CRH: Corticotrophin-releasing hormone; OT: Oxytocin; GR: Glucocorticoid receptor; NA: Noradrenaline; α-MSH: The melanocyte-stimulating hormone receptor; POMC: Precursor proopiomelanocortin.