Effects of Electroacupuncture at Baihui (DU20) on Learning and Memory and Expression of Brain-derived Neu-rotrophic Factor in APP/PS1 Double-transgenic Mice
CHEN Ji-xiang
WU Yu-nan
ZHENG Ya-xuan
ZHUO Pei-yuan
ZHANG Ying-zheng
CHEN Li-dian
Abstract：Objective To explore the effects of electroacupuncture at Baihui (DU20) acupoint on learning and memory and its possible mechanism through the expression of brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) in APP/PS1 double-transgenic mice. Methods 30 female APP/PS1 double transgenic mice were randomly divided into model group, DU20 group and non-acupoint group, and 10 wild type mice con-sisted of wild group. DU20 group received electroacupuncture at Baihui and the non-acupoint group received electroacupuncture at non-acu-point for 28 days. Learning and memory was tested by Morris water maze. Deposition ofβ-amyloid (Aβ) peptide was determined by immu-nohistochemical staining. The expression of BDNF in cortex was examined by RT-PCR and Western blotting. Results Compared with the model group, DU20 group ameliorated the learning and memory ability of APP/PS1 double-transgenic mice (P<0.05), decreased the deposi-tion of Aβpeptide (P<0.05) and upregulated the gene and protein levels of BDNF (P<0.01). There was no significant difference between the model group and non-acupoint group (P>0.05). Conclusion Electroacupuncture at DU20 acupoint could ameliorate learning and memory in APP/PS1 double-transgenic mice. The mechanism may be related to increase the expression of BDNF and decrease the deposition of Aβ.
Keywords：electroacupunctureBaihui (DU20)APP/PS1learning and memorybrain-derived neurotrophic factormouse
Publication Date：2015-01-01
Online Publishing Date：2025-08-15(First online date of this platform, not the publication date of the document)
Pages：6( 642-647 )