Objective To observe the effects of acupuncture at"Shenmen"(HT 7)on brainwaves and cognitive ability in rats with sleep deprivation.Methods SD rats were randomly divided into control group

model group

acupuncture group and sham acupuncture group

15 rats in each group.Insomnia model rats were established by sleep deprivation for 72 hours.Acupuncture was applied to acupuncture group at bilateral"Shenmen"(HT 7)for 20 min

once daily for 7 days.Rats in the sham acupuncture group received superficial insertion of 1 mm and without retaining needle.The learning and memory abilities of rats were evaluated by Hexagonal maze.The BL-420 Fphysiological recorder was used to record EEG for 30 min on the 1 st

4 th

7 th and 10 th day respectively

and the frequency of each wave was analyzed.Results After sleep deprivation

the frequency of searching the exits of Hexagonal maze in the model group was obviously increased

the searching time was shortened

the number of searching errors was increased obviously

and the cognitive rate was decreased(P<0.01).Compared with the model group and the sham acupuncture group

the frequency of searching the exits in the acupuncture group was obviously decreased

the searching time was longer

the number of seeking errors was decreased

and the cognitive rate was increased(P<0.05).Compared with the control group

the EEG ofδwave in the model group was decreased whileβwave increased with statistical significance(P<0.01).Compared with the model group

theδwave of rats in the acupuncture group was significantly increased and theβwave was significantly decreased(P<0.05).There were no statistically significant differences between the sham acupuncture group and the model group(P>0.05).Conclusion Acupuncture at HT 7 can effectively improve the cognitive abilities and brainwaves in sleep deprived rats.