Electroacupuncture alleviates cognitive impairment in mice with vascular dementia by regulating the cholinergic vasodilation system

Aims: Electroacupuncture (EA) is a potential and reliable treatment for vascular dementia (VaD). This study aims to explore the mechanism of EA in the treatment of VaD based on neurovascular coupling. Methods: The VaD model was established by bilateral common carotid artery occlusion (BCCAO). Mice received EA at Baihui (GV20), Geshu (BL17), and Shenshu (BL23) acupoints for 7 days. Then, behavioral tests, leptomeningeal microvascular observation, immunofluorescence of basal forebrain neurons, and molecular analyses of the ACh/NO pathway were conducted. Results: EA stimulation alleviated cognitive impairment in VaD mice, dilated leptomeningeal arterioles, enhanced neuronal activity and acetylcholine expression in the basal forebrain, and increased the levels of m-1AChR, α-7-nAChR, eNOS, and NO in the frontal cortex. The m-1AChR antagonist (THP), but not the α-7-nAChR antagonist (MLA), partially reversed these regulatory effects of EA. Conclusion: EA dilates cerebral arterioles by up-regulating the ACh/NO pathway within cholinergic vasodilation system, thereby alleviating cognitive impairment induced by VaD.