Objective To observe the effect of electroacupuncture(EA)therapy on the intraneuronal Aβ1-42 and dysfunction of autophagy pathway

so as to reveal its mechanism underlying improvement of Alzheimer's disease(AD).MethodsAPP 695V717 Itransgenic female mice were randomly divided into model group(n=6)and EA group(n=6);and C 57BL/6mice were used as the control group(n=6).After 3months' treatment by EA therapy at"Baihui"(GV 20)and"Yongquan"(KI 1)(15min

once every other day

2Hz/100 Hz

1-2mA)

the expression level of Aβ1-42 of the striate cortex was detected by immunohistochemistry.TUNEL staining was used to detect the degree of apoptosis of the striate cortex

and ultrastructural changes of autophagosome in the cortex were observed using electron microscope.Results In comparison with the control group

Aβ1-42 expression level and the apoptotic neurons in the striate cortex were significantly up-regulated in the model group(P<0.01).Following EA intervention for 3months

the Aβ1-42 expression level and the number of apoptotic neurons were significantly decreased in the EA group(P<0.01

P<0.05).Accordingly

transgenic induced dark degenerated neurons exhibiting irregular body deformation

analosis

and abundant secondary lysosomes and autophagosomes were reduced in the EA group.Conclusion EA intervention can effectively down-regulate Aβ1-42 expression and number of the apoptotic neurons in the striate cortex in APP transgenic model mice

which may contribute to its effect in improving pathological changes of ultrastructure of neurons.