CVA Neurophysiology & Mechanisms of Acupuncture Action

Question 1

The gate control theory of pain suggests that acupuncture analgesia occurs primarily through which mechanism?

Accepted Answer

Activation of large-diameter Aβ fibers that inhibit pain transmission in the dorsal horn

Answer

Direct destruction of nociceptive nerve endings at the needle site

Answer

Release of cortisol from the adrenal glands during needle stimulation

Answer

Stimulation of the vagus nerve to suppress systemic immune responses

Question 2

Which endogenous opioid peptides are most directly responsible for acupuncture-induced analgesia?

Accepted Answer

Beta-endorphin, enkephalins, and dynorphins

Answer

Cortisol and epinephrine released from the adrenal medulla

Answer

Substance P and CGRP acting on peripheral receptors

Answer

Histamine and serotonin released from mast cell degranulation only

Question 3

The 'De Qi' sensation experienced during acupuncture needling is primarily associated with stimulation of which nerve fiber types?

Accepted Answer

A-delta (Group III) and C (Group IV) sensory fibers in muscle

Answer

Only A-alpha motor fibers controlling skeletal muscle

Answer

Exclusively unmyelinated C fibers in the skin

Answer

Only large myelinated A-beta fibers transmitting touch

Question 4

Descending pain inhibitory pathways activated by acupuncture primarily originate from which brain regions?

Accepted Answer

Periaqueductal gray (PAG) and rostral ventromedial medulla (RVM)

Answer

Cerebellum and basal ganglia controlling motor output

Answer

Primary visual cortex and prefrontal cortex

Answer

Hippocampus and amygdala regulating memory and emotion

Question 5

In veterinary acupuncture, 'somatovisceral reflexes' are best described as:

Accepted Answer

Reflexes in which somatic stimulation via acupuncture points modulates internal organ function through spinal cord pathways

Answer

Visceral organ dysfunction causing referred pain on the body surface

Answer

Contraction of skeletal muscles in direct response to visceral organ pain

Answer

Autonomic nervous system control of somatic muscle tone during disease

Question 6

Which neurotransmitter, released via descending raphe nucleus pathways during acupuncture, contributes to both spinal analgesia and anti-inflammatory effects?

Accepted Answer

Serotonin (5-HT) acting on dorsal horn 5-HT receptors

Answer

Acetylcholine acting at neuromuscular junctions

Answer

Glutamate activating NMDA receptors in the dorsal horn

Answer

Dopamine modulating reward pathways in the striatum

Question 7

Segmental acupuncture treatment is based on which neuroanatomical principle?

Accepted Answer

Targeting points within the same spinal segment (dermatome/myotome/sclerotome) as the pathological structure

Answer

Dividing the body into equal anatomical halves and treating symmetrically

Answer

Using only Governing Vessel (Du Mai) points along the dorsal midline

Answer

Applying needles sequentially from cranial to caudal along the spine