Abstract: Objective To study the effect of nucha electroacupuncture (NEA) on 5-hydroxytryptamine (5-HT) in cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) and blood of acute cerebral infarction (ACI) patients. Methods 72 cases with first ACI were randomly divided into NEA group (n= 38) and control group (n=34). Their 5-HT levels in CSF and blood were determined before and 4 weeks after treatment. Results Before treatment, the 5-HT in the CSF was (0.67±0.13) μmol/L in the NEA group and (0.71±0.11) μmol/L in the control group (P>0.05), while that in the blood was (0.44±0.19) μmol/L in the NEA group and (0.41±0.10) μmol/L in the control group (P>0.05). After treatment, the 5-HT in the CSF was (1.12±0.32) μmol/L in the NEA group and (0.83±0.15) μmol/L in the control group (P<0.05), while that in the blood was (0.87± 0.14) μmol/L in the NEA group and (0.63±0.07) μmol/L in the control group (P<0.05). Conclusion NEA can increase the 5-HT in both CSF and blood after ACI, which may facilitate to reduce post-stroke depression.

Key words: acute cerebral infarction, post-stroke depression, nucha electrical acupuncture, 5-hydroxytryptamine