title: The effect of scalp point cluster-needling on learning and memory function and neurotransmitter levels in rats with vascular dementia.
abstract: We observed the effect of scalp point cluster-needling treatment on learning and memory function and neurotransmitter levels in rats with vascular dementia (VD). Permanent ligation of the bilateral carotid arteries was used to create the VD rat model. A Morris water maze was used to measure the rats' learning and memory function, and the changes in neurotransmitter levels in the rats' hippocampus were analyzed. The results show that scalp point cluster-needling can increase the VD rat model's learning and memory score. The VD rat model's learning and memory score was significantly different when compared with that of the sham operation group (P < 0.05). Hippocampal acetylcholine (ACh), dopamine (DA), and 5-hydroxytryptamine (5-HT) concentrations significantly decreased in the rat model. Compared with the model group, the scalp point cluster-needling group's ACh concentration markedly increased and DA and 5-HT levels increased as well. In conclusion, scalp point cluster-needling can improve learning and memory function in VD rats, and its function may be related to an increase in neurotransmitter release.
authors.affiliation: Second Affiliated Hospital of Heilongjiang University of Chinese Medicine, Harbin 150001, China.
authors.forename: Junli
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Yang
authors.affiliation: Second Affiliated Hospital of Heilongjiang University of Chinese Medicine, Harbin 150001, China ; Research Unit for Complementary and Integrative Laser Medicine, Research Unit of Biomedical Engineering in Anesthesia and Intensive Care Medicine, and TCM Research Center Graz, Medical University of Graz, 8036 Graz, Austria.
authors.forename: Gerhard
authors.identifier: 0000-0001-6287-0130
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Litscher
authors.affiliation: Second Affiliated Hospital of Heilongjiang University of Chinese Medicine, Harbin 150001, China.
authors.forename: Haitao
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Li
authors.affiliation: Second Affiliated Hospital of Heilongjiang University of Chinese Medicine, Harbin 150001, China.
authors.forename: Wenhai
authors.initials: W
authors.lastname: Guo
authors.affiliation: Second Affiliated Hospital of Heilongjiang University of Chinese Medicine, Harbin 150001, China.
authors.forename: Zhang
authors.initials: Z
authors.lastname: Liang
authors.affiliation: Second Affiliated Hospital of Heilongjiang University of Chinese Medicine, Harbin 150001, China.
authors.forename: Ting
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Zhang
authors.affiliation: Second Affiliated Hospital of Heilongjiang University of Chinese Medicine, Harbin 150001, China.
authors.forename: Weihua
authors.initials: W
authors.lastname: Wang
authors.affiliation: Second Affiliated Hospital of Heilongjiang University of Chinese Medicine, Harbin 150001, China.
authors.forename: Xiaoyan
authors.initials: X
authors.lastname: Li
authors.affiliation: Second Affiliated Hospital of Heilongjiang University of Chinese Medicine, Harbin 150001, China.
authors.forename: Yao
authors.initials: Y
authors.lastname: Zhou
authors.affiliation: Second Affiliated Hospital of Heilongjiang University of Chinese Medicine, Harbin 150001, China.
authors.forename: Bing
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Zhao
authors.affiliation: Second Affiliated Hospital of Heilongjiang University of Chinese Medicine, Harbin 150001, China.
authors.forename: Qi
authors.initials: Q
authors.lastname: Rong
authors.affiliation: Second Affiliated Hospital of Heilongjiang University of Chinese Medicine, Harbin 150001, China ; Privatclinic Lassnitzhoehe, 8301 Lassnitzhoehe, Austria.
authors.forename: Zemin
authors.initials: Z
authors.lastname: Sheng
authors.affiliation: Research Unit for Complementary and Integrative Laser Medicine, Research Unit of Biomedical Engineering in Anesthesia and Intensive Care Medicine, and TCM Research Center Graz, Medical University of Graz, 8036 Graz, Austria.
authors.forename: Ingrid
authors.identifier: 0000-0002-9496-2213
authors.initials: I
authors.lastname: Gaischek
authors.affiliation: Research Unit for Complementary and Integrative Laser Medicine, Research Unit of Biomedical Engineering in Anesthesia and Intensive Care Medicine, and TCM Research Center Graz, Medical University of Graz, 8036 Graz, Austria.
authors.forename: Daniela
authors.identifier: 0000-0003-1883-3521
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Litscher
authors.affiliation: Second Affiliated Hospital of Heilongjiang University of Chinese Medicine, Harbin 150001, China ; Research Unit for Complementary and Integrative Laser Medicine, Research Unit of Biomedical Engineering in Anesthesia and Intensive Care Medicine, and TCM Research Center Graz, Medical University of Graz, 8036 Graz, Austria.
authors.forename: Lu
authors.identifier: 0000-0003-1511-7108
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Wang