Abstract: ObjectiveTo observe the effect of cluster needling of scalp acupuncture combined with rehabilitation(Tang's Approach) on learning and memory and the expression of hippocampus microtubule-associated protein-2 (MAP-2) in young rats after hypoxic ischemic brain damage (HIBD).Methods80 Wistar young rats were randomly divided into 5 groups: sham group, model group, scalp cluster acupuncture group, environmental stimuli group, and acupuncture with rehabilitation group, 16 rats in each group. Each group was divided into 2 subgroups on the 14th and 28th days after the model. HIBD young animal model was made by ligating left common carotid artery and inspiring 8% oxygen and 92% nitrogen mixture. Learning and memory was observed by Morris water maze, and MAP was observed by immunohistochemistry.ResultsThe results of the Morris water maze test showed that there was significant difference in ability of place navigation and space exploration in the scalp cluster acupuncture group, the environmental stimuli group, and the acupuncture with rehabilitation group compared with the model group (P<0.05), and there was significant difference in ability of place navigation and space exploration in the acupuncture with rehabilitation group compared with the scalp cluster acupuncture group and the environmental stimuli group (P＜0.05). The results of immunohistochemistry showed that there was significant difference in the expression of MAP-2 in the scalp cluster acupuncture group, the environmental stimuli group, and the acupuncture with rehabilitation group compared with the model group (P<0.05), and there was significant difference in the expression of MAP-2 in the acupuncture with rehabilitation group compared with the scalp cluster acupuncture group and the environmental stimuli group (P＜0.05). ConclusionLearning and memory of young rats after hypoxic ischemic brain damage can be improved by Tang's Approach which is possibly related with expression of MAP-2 in hippocampus.

Key words: hypoxic ischemic brain injury, Tang's Approach, microtubule-associated protein-2, rats