Effects of electroacupuncture versus nimodipine on long-term potentiation and synaptophysin expression in a rat model of vascular dementia

The present study stimulated Baihui (DU 20) and Dazhui (DU 14) acupoints in a rat model of vascular dementia with electroacupuncture to investigate changes in long-term potentiation and synaptophysin expression in the hippocampus.The results revealed that synaptophysin expression in brain tissues was increased after electroacupuncture.After high-frequency stimulation,the population spike latency was shortened and the excitatory postsynaptic potential slope and population spike amplitude were increased.In addition,cognitive function was enhanced,similar to the effects of intragastric perfusion of nimodipine.The results indicated that electroacupuncture at Baihui and Dazhui acupoints can improve learning and memory functions of a rat model of vascular dementia by promoting synaptophysin expression,enhancing hippocampal synaptic plasticity and accelerating synaptic transmission.