Objective To observe the effect of acupuncture stimulation of"Changqiang"(GV 1)on learning-memory ability and gap junction-related protein expression in the prefrontal cortex in autism rats.Methods Forty Wistar rats were equally randomized into control

model

GV 1and non-acupoint groups.For establishing autism model

Valproate acid(VPA)sodium(600mg/kg)was given(i.p.)to pregnancy rats whose intimate filial generation was confirmed to be successful autism by eyeopen tests

swimming test and Morris water maze swimming tasks.GV 1or non-acupoint(the spot below the costal region

i.e.

2cm superior to the posterior superior iliac spine and about 3cm lateral to the spine)was punctured and stimulated for about 1min by using a filiform needle

once daily for 30days except the weekends.The rats' learning-memory ability was detected by Morris water maze tasks.The expression of gap junction-related proteins connexin 43(CX 43)

CX 32and CX 36in the frontal cortex tissue was detected by immunohistochemistry.Results After modeling

the postnatal rats' eye-open time on day 14

15and 16was significantly later(P<0.05);and the swimming ability on postnatal day 13and 15was obviously lower in comparison with that of the control group(P<0.05).After acupuncture treatment

the increased escape latency and the decreased swimming velocity of the autism rats were obviously suppressed in the GV 1group

rather than in the non-acupoint group(P<0.05).It suggests an improvement of learning-memory ability after acupuncture stimulation of GV 1.In comparison with the control group

the expression levels of cerebral CX 43

CX 32and CX 36proteins(mean grey values)were considerably down-regulated in the model group(P<0.05).While compared to the model group

their expression levels were apparently up-regulated in the GV 1group(P<0.05)but not in the non-acupoint group.Conclusion Acupuncture intervention of GV 1can improve the learningmemory ability in autism rats

which may be closely related to its effects in up-regulating expression levels of CX 43

CX 32and CX 36in the frontal cortex.