RESUMO
Objective To observe the effect of electroacupuncture (EA) at Baihui (GV20), Dazhui (GV14) and Shenshu (BL23) acu-points on cognitive function and the synapse of neurons in hippocampal CA1 in SAMP8 mice,to explore the mechanism of EA in the treat-ment of Alzheimer's disease(AD).Methods A total of 24 seven-month-old SAMP8 mice were randomly divided into model group(n=12) and EA group (n=12), and the same age SAMR1 mice were as control group (n=12).The EA group accepted EA at Baihui, Dazhui and Shenshu for 30 days.They were assessed with Morris maze test.The expression of synaptophysin(SYN)and postsynaptic density protein 95(PSD95)in hippocampal CA1 region were detected with immunohistochemistry.The morphology and density of synapse in hippocampal CA1 region was observed with transmission electron microscopy.Results Compared with the model group,the latency of Morris maze de-creased in EA group(P<0.05),the time staying in the quadrant of the platform increased(P<0.05),as well as the number passing the origi-nal platform(P<0.05),with the more expression of SYN and PSD95 in hippocampal CA1 region(P<0.001),and more and completed syn-apse.Conclusion EA can improve the learning and memory ability of SAMP8 mice by increasing the expression of SYN and PSD95 to pro-tect the ultrastructure of synapses in hippocampal CA1 region.