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Manipulation of neurotransmitters by acupuncture (?)

A preliminary communication

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Summary

Varying reactions of the vegetative nerve system to various point combinations (for example: vomiting, dizziness, diarrhea, urge to urinate, fatigue or drowsiness, headache), especially to the needling of Tai Chong (Li 3), induced us to perform biochemical studies before and after acupuncture treatment. A group of children and a group of adults were studied. The material studied was urine and blood; from the children, urine only. The following were determined in the urine: indolacetic acid, 5-hydroxy-indol-3-acetic acid, homovanillic acid, and vanillic-mandelic acid; in the blood, tyrosine and tryptophan (free and bound). Individual points with wide influence (He Gu=LI 4; Zu San Li=St 36; Tai Chong=Li 3) and their combination with generally effective points were tested. The needling of Tai Chong especially showed a clear increase in indolamine metabolism. Isolated increases in metabolites of catecholamine metabolism could be correlated with the patient's increased physical activity after acupuncture. Noteworthy is the observation that no significant chemical reactions were evident if local reactions to the needling no longer appeared at the end of a series of acupuncture treatments.

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Author notes

  1. P. Riederer

    Present address: The Ludwig Boltzmann Neurochemistry Institute, Geriatrisches Krankenhaus der Stadt Wien (Geriatrie Hospital of the City of Vienna), Austria

Authors and Affiliations

  1. The Ludwig Boltzmann Neurochemistry Institute, Geriatrisches Krankenhaus der Stadt Wien (Geriatrie Hospital of the City of Vienna), Austria

    H. Tenk, H. Werner, J. Biscko, A. Rett & H. Krisper

  2. Director Prof. Dr. W. Birkmayer, together with the Ludwig Boltzmann Acupuncture Institute, Vienna Policlinic Hospital, Austria

    P. Riederer, H. Tenk, H. Werner, J. Biscko, A. Rett & H. Krisper

  3. The Ludwig Boltzmann Institute for the Research of Cerebral Lesions in Children, Vienna-Lainz, Austria

    P. Riederer, H. Tenk, H. Werner, J. Biscko, A. Rett & H. Krisper

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  1. P. Riederer
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  2. H. Tenk
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  3. H. Werner
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  4. J. Biscko
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Riederer, P., Tenk, H., Werner, H. et al. Manipulation of neurotransmitters by acupuncture (?). J. Neural Transmission 37, 81–94 (1975). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF01249768

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/BF01249768

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