The aim of this study is to explore the distinct cerebral activation with 10 Hz-modulated wave (MW) stimulation during lowlevel laser acupuncture. Functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI) studies have been performed to investigate the possible mechanism during laser acupuncture stimulation at the left foot's yongquan (K1) acupoint. It was found that the MW stimulation aroused the significant activations within the precentral gyrus of right frontal lobe, the right superior frontal gyrus, the precentral gyrus of left frontal lobe, the postcentral gyrus of left parietal lobe, the left inferior parietal lobule, the cerebellar lingua of left anterior lobe, the left parahippocampal gyrus, and left culmen. However, placebo stimulation did not show any activation. Most activated areas were involved with the functions of memory, attention, and selfconsciousness. The results show the cerebral hemodynamic response to the MW laser acupuncture stimulation mode the mechanism of which is not merely information processing based upon afferent sensation, but also the hemodynamic property that may be altered with the change of the external stimulation.
