Effects of Acupuncture at "Shenmen" (HT 7) on Brainwaves and Cognitive Ability in Rats with Sleep Deprivation / 针刺研究

ABSTRACT

OBJECTIVE: To observe the effects of acupuncture at "Shenmen" (HT 7) on brainwaves and cognitive ability in rats with sleep deprivation. METHODS: SD rats were randomly divided into control group, model group, acupuncture group and sham acupuncture group, 15 rats in each group. Insomnia model rats were established by sleep deprivation for 72 hours. Acupuncture was applied to acupuncture group at bilateral "Shenmen" (HT 7) for 20 min, once daily for 7 days. Rats in the sham acupuncture group received superficial insertion of 1 mm and without retaining needle. The learning and memory abilities of rats were eva-luated by Hexagonal maze. The BL-420 F physiological recorder was used to record EEG for 30 min on the 1st, 4th, 7th and 10th day respectively, and the frequency of each wave was analyzed. RESULTS: After sleep deprivation, the frequency of searching the exits of Hexagonal maze in the model group was obviously increased, the searching time was shortened, the number of searching errors was increased obviously, and the cognitive rate was decreased (P0.05). CONCLUSIONS: Acupuncture at HT 7 can effectively improve the cognitive abilities and brainwaves in sleep deprived rats.