Abstract: Objective To observe the change of P300(EP) evoked potentials in pre-and-post acupuncture on post-stroke patientsv following depression.Methods According to Hamiltion Rating Scale for Depression(HRS-D),ninty post-stroke patients were divided into two groups: the depression group(n=63) received acupuncture at Ex-HN1 and Siguan Points and the non-depression group(n=31).After assessed and grouped by HRS-D,and one acupuncture therapeutic course for the depression group,two groups' subjects were tested with P300 potentials.Results Before treatment,the latency of P3 of P300 potentials was longer and the amplitude of P3 was lower in the patients of the depression group compared with the cases in the non-depression group;after the acupuncture treatment,the latency of P3 decreased significantly(P<0.01),and the amplitude of P3 increased significantly(P<0.05) in the patients of the depression group.Conclusion P300 potentials test can help find cognitive dysfunction in post-stroke patients following depression at early stage,and acupuncture treatment in time can lessen or eliminate depression motion of post-stroke patients.

Key words: post-stroke depression, P300 potentials, acupuncture therapy