针灸师专家技能对应脑网络的神经影像学研究

Acupuncturists obtain unique behavioral expertise, i.e. the fine tactile-motor skills of the functioning digits and exceptional inhibitory control for empathic pain, after extended years of training following standardized protocols. These skills are crucial for clinical outcomes but little is known about their central mechanism. Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) is widely used in the research on central mechanism of behavioral expertise and previous conclusions have the common recognition that the acquisition of behavioral expertise is concomitant with functional and structural plastic changes in the brain. Our previous studies have shown local alterations in acupuncturists’ brain and their correlation with behavioral signatures. However, few studies have elucidated the brain networks subserving the behavioral expertise. Therefore, the current study intends to investigate the central mechanism of acupuncturists’ behavioral expertise by identifying the corresponding brain networks. Firstly, we would construct the brain networks based on functional data and diffusion tensor imaging data. Secondly, we would specify the dynamic changes in the properties (connecting patterns and connecting strength) of the corresponding networks. We suggest that the study of central mechanism of acupuncturists’ behavioral expertise would explicate how these skills differ from other professions from the perspective of neuroscience. The results would probably be utilized for making more efficient training protocols for acupuncture schools. Moreover, the expertise model of professional acupuncturists may serve as a robust model for neuroplasticity research.

针灸师在针灸医学中具有重要地位。特殊的练针训练和反复的临床实践使得针灸师在手指精细感觉运动控制及移情痛抑制控制方面练就了独特的专家技能，但其专家技能的生物学基础仍不清楚。前人研究表明：专家技能的习得伴随着对应的脑可塑性改变；我们的前期研究揭示了职业针灸师大脑中局部脑区的功能和结构可塑性变化。然而，少有研究从脑网络的层面探索职业针灸师专家技能对应的脑机制。因此，本项目从我们前期研究建立的“职业针灸师专家行为模型”出发，从脑网络的角度，考察职业针灸师大脑发生的可塑性改变，拟从明确针灸师专家技能对应的脑网络（横向研究）和明确专家技能对应脑网络的演化过程（纵向研究）两个层次， 探讨针灸师专家技能对应脑机制，以期为明确针灸师专家技能对应的特异性神经生物学基础提供新的证据、为制定更有针对性的针灸师培训方案提供科学依据；同时，职业针灸师群体可成为触觉可塑性研究中新的专家模型。

针灸师在针灸医学中具有重要地位。特殊的练针训练和反复的临床实践使得针灸师在手指精细感觉运动控制及移情痛抑制控制方面练就了独特的专家技能，但其专家技能的生物学基础仍不清楚。本项目从我们前期研究建立的“职业针灸师专家行为模型”出发，利用磁共振成像技术，考察职业针灸师大脑发生的可塑性改变。项目执行过程中，严格按照项目申请书中设定的执行计划完成，取到了良好的效果并获得了宝贵的项目执行及协调经验，制定计划全部按时完成。在该项目支持下，共发表SCI文章6篇（第一、通讯作者5篇），申请发明专利2项、参加国际会议2次、国内会议2次并做大会报告、培养博士后1名、硕士4名，项目制定目标全部完成。.此外，该项目相关成果正在陆续整理、并逐步发表，并将在近期归档进入项目成果列表。