Objective: To observe the effect of electroacupuncture(EA) on the learning and memory ability in diabetic cognitive dysfunction patients.Methods: Forty-five cases of diabetic mellitus(DM) patients with cognitive dysfunction were randomly divided into EA group(n=25) and medication group(n=20).For patients of EA group

main acupoints as Sishenchong(EX-HN 1)

Baihui(GV 20)

bilateral Fengchi(GB 20)

Benshen(GB 13) and Neiguan(PC 6) were punctured with filiform needles and stimulated electrically by setting the stimulating parameters being dense-sparse waves

frequency of 14-26 pulses/min

strength of 3-(5 mA) and duration of (30 min).The treatment was conducted once daily

5 times a week and continuously for 6 weeks.Patients of medication group were ordered to take Nimotop((30 mg)/time)

3 times everyday and continuously for 6 weeks.Modified Hastgawa Dementia Scale(HDS) and Wilson's Memory Scale(WMS) were used to evaluate the patients' cognitive function

memory ability and general conditions before and after the treatment.Results: After the treatment

according to HDS

of the 20 and 25 cases in medication and EA groups

1(5%) and 4(16%) experienced marked improvement

5(25%) and 15(60%) had moderate improvement

10(50%)and 5(20%) had mild improvement

and 4(20%) and 1(4%) had no improvement

with the total effective rates being 80% and 96% respectively.Rank test showed that the therapeutic effect of EA group was significantly superior to that of medication group(P<0.05) in improving patients' cognitive function.Self-comparison indicated that WMS of both groups increased significantly after the treatment(P<0.001

0.05)

including adding test of long-term memory and touching test of short-term memory in medication group

counting-down test of long-term memory

association test and touching test of short-term memory in EA group;and the effects of EA were apparently superior to those of medication in raising WMS(MQ)

counting-down test and association test(P<0.05

0.01).Conclusion: The therapeutic effect of EA is significantly superior to that of Nimotop in improving DM patients' cognitive function

learning and memory ability.