Objectives : This research was performed to investigate the effects of Hwangryunhaedok-tang decoction and Hwangryunhaedoktang Pharmacopuncture at BL10 on cognition and memory impairment in a mouse dementia model induced by scopolamine. Methods : Fifty ICR mice were divided into 6 groups : Normal group (n=5), Control group (n=9), Positive control group for pharmacopuncture group (n=9, Donepezil 0.75 mg/kg), Positive control group for oral administration group (n=9, Donepezil 5 mg/kg), Pharmacopuncture group (n=9, Hwangryunhaedok-tang Pharmacopuncture undiluted solution 10 ml/kg), and Oral administration group (n=9, Hwangryunhaedok-tang 200 mg/kg). For a mouse dementia model, 1 mg/kg scopolamine was intraperitoneally administered to ICR mice. Hwangryunhaedok-tang pharmacopuncture was administered on BL10 for 4 weeks at intervals of 2 days. Hwangryunhaedok-tang decoction was given orally for 4 weeks every day. Morris water maze and passive avoidance test were conducted followed by measurement of acetylcholine concentration, acetylcholinesterase activity, and the amount of BDNF and p-CREB in the brain. Results : 1. In the Morris water maze test, the time spent staying around the platform significantly increased in the pharmacopuncture group and oral administration group than in the control group. 2. In the passive avoidance test, the time spent in the bright room significantly increased in the pharmacopuncture group and oral administration group than in the control group. 3. The level of acetylcholine in brains increased in the pharmacopuncture group and oral administration group than in the control group. Also, the activity of acetylcholinesterase decreased in the pharmacopuncture group and oral administration group than in the control group. 4. The expression of BDNF and p-CREB decreased in the control group, but increased in the pharmacopuncture group and oral administration group. Conclusions : These results suggest that Hwangryunhaedok-tang decoction and Hwangryunhaedok-tang pharmacopuncture at BL10 may have cognition and memory-enhancing effect in scopolamine-induced dementia in ICR mice via controlling the content of acetylcholine and the activity of acetylcholinesterase, and activating BDNF and p-CREB.

Objectives : The purpose of this study was to examine the effects of electroacupuncture at GB14, on brain activity assessed on an electroencephalogram(EEG). Methods : (1) Thirty-four healthy participants were randomly divided into two groups, receiving either real acupuncture or non-penetrating sham acupuncture at GB14. (2) EEG measurements were conducted simultaneously before and after a 5-minute electroacupuncture stimulation, and the differences in the resulting EEG parameters were compared between the test and control groups. Results : (1) Absolute power increased significantly in the theta-wave channel of the occipital region and in the entire alpha-wave channel. (2) Relative power decreased significantly in the theta-wave channels of the frontal and occipital regions. (3) Coherence decreased significantly in the theta-and beta-wave channels of the parietal and occipital regions, and increased significantly in the alpha-wave channels of most areas. Conclusions : This study shows that electroacupuncture stimulation at GB14 activates the alpha frequency band in particular.