Spike-frequency adaptation of neural electrical signals evoked by manual acupuncture

Spike-frequency adaptation is one of the most prominent features in the neural system, which is of importance in neural electrical information processing. Manual acupuncture is an ancient sophisticated therapeutic method. Manipulation to the acupoint is a kind of mechanical stimulation to the neural system. In this paper, an acupuncture experimental design is proposed, that is, different manipulations are applied to Zusanli acupoint and collect neural electrical signals from spinal dorsal root of Sprague Dawley rat. Firing rate analysis is used. It is found that acupuncture can induce spike-frequency adaptation from both experimental and theoretical modeling study.