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This study set out to identify precise brain regions that could serve as stimulation targets for scalp acupuncture and related brain stimulation techniques in the treatment of mental disorders. Finding suitable targets has long been a challenge limiting the effectiveness of these scalp-based therapies.
Using a neuroimaging synthesis platform called Neurosynth Compose, the researchers conducted large-scale coordinate-based meta-analyses — pooling data from many neuroimaging studies — to map brain activity patterns associated with nine psychiatric conditions: schizophrenia, bipolar disorder, major depressive disorder, anxiety disorders, obsessive-compulsive disorder, post-traumatic stress disorder, insomnia, autism spectrum disorder, and attention deficit hyperactivity disorder. The brain regions identified were then mapped onto the scalp surface and aligned with established acupuncture points and standard electroencephalography electrode positions.
The analysis successfully identified scalp targets for all nine conditions. Results largely supported existing clinical approaches while also pointing to new candidate regions. Importantly, several brain areas — including the dorsolateral and ventrolateral prefrontal cortices, the middle temporal gyrus, and the inferior parietal lobule — appeared as overlapping targets across multiple disorders, which may be particularly relevant for patients with co-occurring psychiatric conditions.
The authors propose updated, evidence-based treatment protocols to support more precise neuromodulation strategies in psychiatric care.
Conclusion: This meta-analytic study offers a neuroimaging-grounded framework for refining scalp acupuncture targets across nine major mental disorders, potentially advancing personalised and precision-based psychiatric treatment.
Source: Li Y, Feng Y, Wu Y and colleagues. Alpha psychiatry (2026). View on PubMed (PMID 42416189) · doi:10.31083/AP45940
