Fig. 1

The effect of manual acupuncture-like stimulation of a forepaw on the CBF in the parietal cortex, and on MAP, in aged rats. a Schematic diagram of experimental preparation. b, c CNS-intact condition. d, e Spinalized condition. b, d Sample recordings of the CBF in the parietal cortex ipsilateral to the stimulating site, and MAP, following acupuncture-like stimulation of a forepaw in a 37-month-old rat. The bars indicate stimulation period of 1 min. c, e Summary of responses of the CBF (shaded column: ipsilateral to the stimulated site, hatched column: contralateral to the stimulated site) and MAP. Maximum responses of CBF and MAP were expressed as percentages of the pre-stimulus control values. Each column and vertical bar represents a mean ± SEM (n = 14 in 7 rats, 2 trials per rat). *p < 0.05; **p < 0.01; significantly different from pre-stimulus control values using paired t-test. There were no significant differences between ipsilateral and contralateral CBF responses (paired t-test)