title: Effects of electroacupuncture on depression in a rat model.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To investigate the antidepressant-like effect of electroacupuncture (EA) in a validated rat model.
  
  
  METHODS
  Wistar Kyoto rats, a valid animal model of depression, were randomly divided into two groups, EA (n = 7) and placebo control (n = 6). EA treatment was given once a day, 5 days a week, for 3 weeks. Two acupoints, GV14 (Dazhui) and GV20 (Baihui), respectively on the cervical spine and scalp, were selected. EA frequency was held constant at 2Hz (2 pulses/second), pulse width 0.3-ms, and intensity was adjusted to 3 mA. Forced swim tests (FST), open field tests (OFT; e.g., a. rearing and grooming, b. distance traveled within a central area, c. time spent in central area, and d. total distance traveled), and the Morris Water Maze test (MWM) were conducted 3 weeks after the initial treatment.
  
  
  RESULTS
  In the FST, there was significant difference between EA and control (P < 0.05) in immobility. In the OFT, there were significant differences between EA and control (P < 0.05) in rearing and grooming (P < 0.05). In the MWM, there were significant differences between treatment and control in frequency of crossing the platform (P < 0.05) and its surrounding area (P < 0.05).
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Our data demonstrate that EA enhances memory and improves depression-related behaviors in a rat model of depression. This suggests that the modality may have therapeutic effects on depression in humans. Electroacupuncture may act on depression by protecting nerve cells in the hippocampus.
authors.affiliation: Acupuncture Department, Shanghai Municipal Hospital of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Shanghai TCM University, Shanghai 200071, China.
authors.forename: Shifen
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Xu
authors.forename: Shengtian
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Li
authors.forename: Xueyong
authors.initials: X
authors.lastname: Shen
authors.forename: Xianze
authors.initials: X
authors.lastname: Meng
authors.forename: Lixing
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Lao
mesh_terms: D015669:Acupuncture Points; D000818:Animals; D003863:Depression / Q000503:physiopathology / Q000523:psychology / Q000628:therapy*; D004195:Disease Models, Animal; D015671:Electroacupuncture; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D018782:Maze Learning; D008568:Memory; D011897:Random Allocation; D051381:Rats; D011921:Rats, Inbred WKY; D013550:Swimming