Chinese Journal of Tissue Engineering Research ›› 2023, Vol. 27 ›› Issue (23): 3747-3754.doi: 10.12307/2023.536

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Chinese medicine promotes post-stroke brain function remodeling based on visual decoding of functional magnetic resonance imaging

Zhang Jinsheng1, Tian Li2, Li Sanqiang3, Zhang Xixian3   

  1. 1The Third Affiliated Hospital of Henan University of Chinese Medicine, Zhengzhou 450000, Henan Province, China; 2Henan University of Chinese Medicine, Zhengzhou 450008, Henan Province, China; 3Medical School of Henan University of Science and Technology, Luoyang 471000, Henan Province, China
  • Received:2022-07-04 Accepted:2022-09-02 Online:2023-08-18 Published:2023-01-16
  • Contact: Zhang Jinsheng, The Third Affiliated Hospital of Henan University of Chinese Medicine, Zhengzhou 450000, Henan Province, China
  • About author:Zhang Jinsheng, MD, Chief physician, Professor, Doctoral supervisor, The Third Affiliated Hospital of Henan University of Chinese Medicine, Zhengzhou 450000, Henan Province, China
  • Supported by:
    Central Plains Science and Technology Outstanding Innovative Talents Project, No. 2020(48); the Key Research, Development and Promotion Project of Henan Province in 2021, No. 212102311134

Abstract: BACKGROUND: Through the visualization technology of functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI), we can intuitively study the mechanisms of brain remodeling and nerve regeneration, reveal the feasibility and scientificity of Chinese medicine that promotes brain function remodeling and brain reconstruction, and thus objectively improves therapeutic schedule revision, clinical efficacy and prognosis evaluation of Chinese medicine. 
OBJECTIVE: To decode the feasibility and scientificity of Chinese medicine that promotes post-stroke brain remodeling using fMRI visualization technologies, thereby providing an important basis for exploring and evaluating the clinical efficacy, theoretical innovation, and prognosis of Chinese medicine in the treatment of stroke. 
METHODS: CNKI, PubMed, and WanFang were searched for relevant literature using diffusion tensor imaging, blood oxygenation level dependent functional magnetic resonance imaging, regional homogeneity, amplitude of low frequency fluctuation, brain remodeling, nerve regeneration, Chinese medicine as Chinese and English search terms. Finally, 63 articles were selected for review. 
RESULTS AND CONCLUSION: fMRI has a non-invasive dynamic feature. The therapeutic efficacy of Chinese medicine on post-stroke motion, cognition and sensation can be dynamically assessed through the combination of anatomy, imaging and other disciplines. fMRI, in its broad sense, refers to blood oxygen level dependent fMRI, magnetization transfer imaging, diffusion tensor and chemical shift imaging, while its narrow concept only indicates oxygen level dependent fMRI. This imaging technology is to explore the relationship between brain energy metabolism and activity by observing the hemodynamic changes during brain activity and reflecting the neuronal activity based on the blood oxygen level dependent signals. At present, there are few studies on how Chinese medicine promotes brain remodeling and nerve function reconstruction after stroke. Relevant research mostly focuses on single index and single target area and there is a lack of research on the whole brain area, such as the whole process during which Chinese medicine improves brain dysfunction, promotes brain function reconstruction and nerve regeneration. Therefore, it cannot accurately interpret the therapeutic mechanism of Chinese medicine. Moreover, there is no report on the mechanism of various Chinese medicine therapies to synergistically promote brain functional remodeling after stroke via multiple targets and multiple approaches. This review indicates that with the help of fMRI visualization technology, we can intuitively study the whole process of brain remodeling and nerve regeneration after treatment with Chinese medicine, and comprehensively demonstrate the scientificity of Chinese Medicine to promote brain functional remodeling and brain reconstruction after stroke. Therefore, it is possible to provide scientific explanations for guiding and improving the clinical Chinese medicine syndrome differentiation and treatment, clinical treatment plan revision, and evaluation of clinical efficacy and prognosis as well as accelerate and promote the research and innovation in basic theories of Chinese medicine. 

Key words: functional magnetic resonance imaging, visualization, microenvironment, traditional Chinese medicine, brain functional remodeling, diffusion tensor imaging, local consistency analysis, low-frequency amplitude

CLC Number: