Acupuncture Biophysics--Electrical Properties of CT

描述（由申请人提供）：尽管针灸的临床和机理研究数以百计，针灸的基本原理-穴位和经络-知之甚少。根据针灸界的传统观点，这些结构是电信号的特殊管道。这一说法得到了研究的支持，这些研究报告称，与非针灸点相比，针灸点的电导率更高（电阻/阻抗更低）。然而，缺乏解剖学和生理学的解释已经破坏了这一观点的可信度。现在，将结缔组织与针灸结构联系起来的有力证据改变了研究格局，并提供了一个新的可检验的假设：通过松散结缔组织的电传导负责通过针灸网络进行通信。 本申请提出了三个目标来验证这一假设;检查疏松结缔组织的电特性，研究针灸对这些电特性的影响，以及研究潜在的生物物理学以确定任何临床相关机制。候选人进行的一项初步研究表明，与经络相关的结缔组织的电阻抗明显低于平行的肌肉控制组织。为了进一步验证这一假设，K-23应用有3个具体目标：（1）确定其他三种与经络相关的结缔组织的电阻抗是否低于平行对照;（2）检查针刺穴位如何影响相应经络的电阻抗;（3）研究松散结缔组织的体内介电特性。前两个目标将通过在大型转诊医院的一般临床研究中心内使用阻抗计和测试受试者来实现。目标3将在一所大型学术大学（马萨诸塞州理工学院）内使用先进的机器。这些研究的目的是阐明穴位和经络的生理功能，以帮助了解针灸的临床效果，从而促进治疗优化。 本研究的完成由三个基本组成部分支持：（1）结缔组织，生物力学工程，东亚医学和临床研究方法学方面的高技能导师的核心;（2）麻省理工学院的课程，以扩大候选人在结缔组织和生物物理学方面的知识;（3）麻省理工学院和哈佛医学院的资源提供了一个丰富的研究环境，将促进候选人现在和未来的研究。该K-23申请将为候选人提供生物物理学，结缔组织和临床试验方面的特定培训。这些技能中的每一项都将对候选人成为一名专注于针灸生物物理学的独立临床研究者的长期目标至关重要。

DESCRIPTION (provided by applicant): Despite hundreds of clinical and mechanistic studies in acupuncture, the fundamental tenets of acupuncture - the point and meridian - are poorly understood. According to conventional wisdom within the acupuncture community, these structures are special conduits for electrical signals. This claim is supported by studies that report higher electrical conductivity (lower resistance/impedance) at acupuncture points compared to non-acupuncture points. However, the absence of an anatomic and physiologic explanation has undermined the credibility of this view. Now, robust evidence linking connective tissue to acupuncture structures has changed the research landscape and offers a new testable hypothesis: Electrical conduction through loose connective tissue is responsible for communication through the acupuncture network. This application proposes three goals to test this hypothesis; to examine the electrical properties of loose connective tissue, to study acupuncture's effect on these electrical properties, and to study the underlying biophysics to identify any clinically relevant mechanisms. A pilot study conducted by the candidate indicates that electrical impedance of connective tissue associated with Pericardium Meridian is significantly lower compared to parallel muscle-control tissue. To further test the hypothesis, this K-23 application has 3 specific aims : (1) to determine whether electrical impedances of three other meridian-associated connective tissue are lower compared to parallel controls; (2) to examine how needling an acupuncture point affects the electrical impedance of the corresponding meridian; (3) to study the in-vivo dielectric properties of loose connective tissue. The first 2 aims will be addressed by utilizing an impedance meter and testing subjects within the general clinical research center of a large, referral hospital. Aim 3 will use sophisticated machinery within a large academic university (Massachusetts Institute of Technology). The goal of these studies is to elucidate the physiologic functions of acupuncture points and meridians to help understand acupuncture's clinical effects and thereby promote treatment optimization. Completion of this research is supported by three essential components: (1) A core of highly skilled mentors in connective tissue, biomechanical engineering, East Asian medicines, and clinical research methodology; (2) coursework at MIT to expand the candidate's knowledge in connective tissue and biophysics; (3) a rich research environment offered by the combined resources of MIT and Harvard Medical School that will promote the candidate's present and .future investigations. This K-23 application will provide the candidate with specific training in biophysics, connective tissue, and clinical trials. Each of these skills will be critical to the candidate's long-term goal of becoming an independent clinical investigator with a focus on the biophysics of acupuncture.