"Functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI) changes and saliva production associated with acupuncture at LI-2 acupuncture point: a randomized controlled study," Deng G, Hou BL, et al, BMC Complement Altern Med, 2008; 8: 37. (Address: Integrative Medicine Service, Memorial Sloan-Kettering Cancer Center, 1429 First Avenue, New York, NY 10021, USA. E-mail: dengg@mskcc.org ). Summary: In a randomized, controlled, subject-blinded trial involving 20 healthy subjects, treatment with acupuncture was found to be associated with increases in saliva production. Patients were randomly assigned to receive either real acupuncture (at unilateral LI-2, a point commonly used in clinical practice to treat xerostomia) or a sham acupuncture treatment. Functional MRI was used to evaluate which cortical regions of the brain were activated or de-activated during the treatment. Results found that treatment with acupuncture was associated with bilateral activation of the insula and adjacent operculum as well as saliva production, while the sham treatment did not activate nor deactivate these regions. These results suggest that acupuncture may be a safe and effective therapy for the treatment of dry mouth (xerostomia). Posted July 2008 Remember we are NOT Doctors and have NO medical training. This site is like an Encylopedia - there are many pages, many links on many topics. Support our work with any size DONATION - see left side of any page - for how to donate. You can help raise awareness of CAM.