Objective To observe the effect of electroacupuncture(EA) stimulation of "Zhongchong"(PC 9) and "Yongquan"(KI 1) on P 300 of event-related potentials(ERPs) in rats with vascular dementia.Methods A total of 48 Wistar rats were randomly divided into sham group(n=12)

model group(n=12)

EA group(n=12) and medication group(n=12).Vascular dementia model was established by occlusion of the bilateral vertebral arteries and cervical arteries.EA(1-2 mA

2 Hz/20 Hz) was applied to bilateral "Zhongchong"(PC 9) and "Yongquan"(KI 1) for 15 min

once daily for 28 days.Rats of the medication group were treated by intragastric perfusion of Nimodipine(12 mg/kg)

twice daily for 28 days.The rats' learning-memory ability was detected by step-down passive and active avoidance tests

and P 300 of ERPs detected by Neuroscan Nuamps system.Results Compared with the sham group

the reaction time and error times of learning performance and error times of memory performance as well as P 300 latency in the model group were significantly increased(P<0.01)

and the latency of memory performance and the amplitude of P 300 were markedly decreased in the model group(P<0.01).While in comparison with the model group

the reaction time and error times of learning performance

and the error times of memory performance as well as P 300 latencies were obviously decreased in both EA and medication groups(P<0.01)

and the latencies of memory performance and P 300 amplitudes were evidently increased in the EA and medication groups(P<0.01).No significant differences were found between the EA and medication groups in these 6 indexes(P>0.05).Conclusion EA of PC 9 and KI 1 can significantly improve the ability of learning and memory and the latency and amplitude of P 300 in rats with vascular dementia.