Abstract: Objective To explore the effects of electroacupuncture at Shenting (DU24) and Baihui (DU20) on cognitive dysfunction after stroke. Methods Forty-five Sprague-Dawley rats were randomly divided into control group (n=15), model group (n=15) and electroacupuncture group (n=15). The latter two groups were occluded their middle cerebral artery for two hours and reperfused. The electroacupuncture group accepted electroacupuncture at Shenting and Baihui 24 hours after modeling for seven days. They were assessed with Morris water maze once a day since the second day of intervention. Their brains were stained with TTC staining to measure cerebral infarction volume after treatment, while the expression of cyclic AMP response element binding protein (CREB) and phosphorylation (p-CREB) in hippocampal CA1 area were detected with immunohistochemistry. Results The escape latency and swimming distance of place navigation shortened in the electroacupuncture group compared with those in the model group (P<0.05) from the fourth day of intervention. The number of cross platform of spatial probe increased (P<0.05). The infarction volume was less in the electroacupuncture group than in the model group (P< 0.05), with increased expression of CREB and p-CREB in hippocampal CA1 area (P<0.05). Conclusion Electroacupuncture at Shenting and Baihui can increase the expression of CREB and phosphorylation in hippocampal CA1 area in rats after cerebral ischemia-reperfusion, to protect the neurons from ischemia and improve the learning and memory function.

Key words: cerebral ischemia-reperfusion, learning and memory, electroacupuncture, cyclic AMP response element binding protein, phosphorylation, rats