Application of Nerve Stimulation: Current Status and Future Directions—2nd Edition

A special issue of Brain Sciences (ISSN 2076-3425). This special issue belongs to the section "Neurotechnology and Neuroimaging".

Deadline for manuscript submissions: 31 May 2026 | Viewed by 596

Special Issue Editors


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Guest Editor
Acupuncture & Meridian Science Research Center, Kyung Hee University, Seoul 02447, Republic of Korea
Interests: acupuncture; neuroimaging; neuromodulation; pain; placebo
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Guest Editor
Department of Physiology, College of Medicine, Yonsei University, Seoul, Republic of Korea
Interests: acupuncture; visceral organ; mechanical stimulation; mesolimbic dopamine system
Special Issues, Collections and Topics in MDPI journals

Special Issue Information

Dear Colleagues,

Neuromodulation is often employed to adjust neuronal activity and affect brain function. Nonetheless, gaining a deeper understanding of the interaction between nerves and organs is essential for developing precise treatment approaches. Acupuncture has the ability to activate peripheral nervous systems, aligning with neuromodulation methods. Both acupuncture and neuromodulation share significant similarities in practice and in their underlying theories.

For this upcoming Special Issue of Brain Sciences, we encourage researchers and practitioners to contribute original research papers utilizing diverse techniques, including neuroimaging, neurobiology, clinical trials, and machine learning. We also welcome review articles that aim to build on current efforts to gain new insights into peripheral nerve stimulation, encompassing neuromodulation and acupuncture.

Prof. Dr. Younbyoung Chae
Dr. Hee Young Kim
Guest Editors

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Keywords

  • acupuncture
  • neuroanatomy
  • neuroimaging
  • neuromodulation
  • peripheral nervous system

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Published Papers (1 paper)

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Research

18 pages, 2644 KiB  
Article
The Synergistic Effect of Heat Therapy and Electroacupuncture Treatment in Inflammatory Pain Mouse Models
by Boon Khai Teoh, Sharmely Sharon Ballon Romero, Tran Van Bao Quach, Hsin-Yi Chung and Yi-Hung Chen
Brain Sci. 2025, 15(8), 822; https://doi.org/10.3390/brainsci15080822 - 31 Jul 2025
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Abstract
Background: Heat therapy (HT) and electroacupuncture (EA) are widely utilized pain relief methods, but the analgesic mechanisms of their combined application remain unclear. Methods: In acetic acid (AA)-induced writhing test and complete Freund’s adjuvant (CFA)-induced inflammatory pain tests, mice received one of three [...] Read more.
Background: Heat therapy (HT) and electroacupuncture (EA) are widely utilized pain relief methods, but the analgesic mechanisms of their combined application remain unclear. Methods: In acetic acid (AA)-induced writhing test and complete Freund’s adjuvant (CFA)-induced inflammatory pain tests, mice received one of three treatments: EA at bilateral ST36, HT via a 45 °C heating pad, or the combination (EA + HT). To probe underlying pathways, separate groups were pretreated with caffeine, DPCPX (a selective adenosine A1 receptor antagonist), or naloxone (an opioid receptor antagonist). Spinal expression of glial fibrillary acidic protein (GFAP) and phosphorylated p38 (p-p38) was examined by Western blot and immunofluorescence. Results: Both EA and HT individually reduced AA-induced writhing, with the combination (EA + HT) exhibiting the greatest analgesic effect. EA’s analgesic effect was reversed by caffeine and DPCPX and partially by naloxone, while HT’s effect was reversed by caffeine and DPCPX but was unaffected by naloxone. AA injection elevated spinal p-p38 and GFAP expression, which were attenuated by either EA or HT, with the most substantial suppression observed in the EA + HT group. In the CFA model, both treatments alleviated mechanical allodynia, while the combined treatment resulted in significantly greater analgesia compared to either treatment alone. Conclusions: EA combined with HT synergistically enhances analgesia in both AA and CFA pain models, accompanied by reduced spinal inflammation and astrocyte activation. EA’s analgesic effects appear to involve adenosine A1 receptor pathways and, to a lesser extent, opioid receptor mechanisms, whereas HT’s effects involve adenosine A1 receptor pathways. Full article
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