Acupuncture originated in China more than 2,000 years ago — but does scientific evidence confirm its effectiveness?

Dr. Bruce Rosen will give an Apr. 26 NCCAM lecture on acupuncture.

Learn about acupuncture's effects on the mind and body from Dr. Bruce Rosen, the next speaker for the Distinguished Lectures in the Science of Complementary and Alternative Medicine, hosted by the National Center for Complementary and Alternative Medicine. The lecture, "Neurobiological Correlates of Acupuncture: Modern Science Explores Ancient Practice," will take place on Wednesday, Apr. 26 at 11 a.m. in Masur Auditorium, Bldg. 10.

Rosen is professor of radiology at Harvard Medical School and director of the Martinos Center for Biomedical Imaging at Massachusetts General Hospital. His research focuses on the development and use of brain-imaging techniques to solve biological and clinical problems. The techniques that he and his colleagues have developed in functional imaging are being used by hospitals throughout the world to evaluate patients with stroke, brain tumors, dementia and mental illnesses.

Rosen acknowledges that the popularity of acupuncture in the West is growing, but in order for this healing art to be integrated into mainstream medicine, it must be examined within the evidence-based framework of the scientific method. Scientific exploration into the basic mechanisms underlying acupuncture has been relatively recent, and while much has been revealed, much is still unknown. Brain imaging techniques have helped to clarify acupuncture's effects on the human mind and body. Among the insights gained from new imaging modalities are how acupuncture has an impact on localized activity and chemistry in the brain as well as pain relief. Rosen will discuss how his research seeks to clarify the neurobiology of acupuncture and to extend our ability to integrate this ancient healing technique into evidence- based medicine.

All are welcome to attend the lecture. It will also be videocast on http://videocast.nih.gov. For reasonable accommodation, contact Karen Davison at (301) 348-1606, or the Federal Relay at 1-800-877-8339. For lecture information, visit www.nccam.nih.gov.