Objective: To investigate the effect of acupuncture on the memory and SOD activity in the cerebral issues in Alzheimer's disease (AD) rats. Methods: 48 healthy Wister rats were randomly divided into control group (n=11)

model group (n=10)

medication group (n=10) and acupuncture group (n=11). AD model was established by microinjection of β-amyloid protein (β-AP)1-40 (1 μL) into the hippocampal CA1 region (AP: 2.22 mm; ML: 3.0 mm

DV: 2.8 mm). In acupuncture group

“Baihui”(GV 20) and “Sishencong”(EX-HN 1) were punctured with filiform needles which were lifted

thrust and twirled continuously for 5 min

and then retained for 20 min. The treatment was conducted once daily except Sundays and continuously for one month. Rats of medication group were fed with Piracetum (40 mg/mL

6 mL/kg/time) once daily for 30 days. The rats' memory was detected with shuttle-box test and the activity of superoxide dismutase (SOD) in the cerebral issues assayed by enzymological method. Results: Shuttle box test showed that compared with control group

the times and duration of electric shock were significantly more and longer than those of model group (P<0.05); while compared with model group

the times and duration of electric shock of both acupuncture and medication groups were significantly more and longer (P<0.01). No significant differences were found between two groups in these two indexes

suggesting that both acupuncture and medication can improve AD rats' memory. In comparison with control group

SOD activity in the cerebral tissue lowered considerably; while in comparison with model group

SOD activity of both medication and acupuncture groups increased significantly (P<0.01)

and no significant difference was found between the later two groups (P>0.05). Conclusion: Acupuncture treatment can improve AD rats' learning and memory and raise SOD activity in the cerebral tissue.