In contrast to the IBS model group, the ST36 and ST37 asthenia downregulated the expression level of NR2B subunit of spinal dorsal horn neurons, majorly by targeting the surface laminae (laminae I and II), nucleus propria (laminae III and IV), cervical dorsal horn (laminae V and VI) and the central canal (laminae X) at the level of thoracolumbar segment (T13-L2) and lumbosacral segment (L6-S2), which could not be achieved with sham EA therapy (Liu et al., 2017). Here, GRIN2B is linked to irritable bowel syndrome.