Electroacupuncture at Baihui and Shenting Improves Learning and Memory Impairment and Anxiety-like Behavior Induced by Electromagnetic Pulse

Abstract

Following exposure to electromagnetic pulses (EMP), the brain may experience impaired learning and memory capabilities, as well as anxiety-like behaviors. Microglial activation and inflammatory responses have been shown to be associated with EMP-induced brain damage. Electroacupuncture treatment has demonstrated potential in inhibiting microglial activation and mitigating inflammatory responses in various neurological disorders. This study aims to investigate whether electroacupuncture treatment can alleviate EMP-induced learning and memory impairments and to elucidate its underlying mechanisms. Compared with the non-acupoint group and the EA + LPS, the Y-maze and open field tests indicated that the EA group spent more time in the novel arm and the central area of the open field, the proportion of iNOS⁺/iba-1⁺ cells in the hippocampus decreased, and the concentrations of pro-inflammatory factors IL-1β, IL-6, and TNF-α decreased. EA improved EMP-induced learning and memory impairment and anxiety-like behavior by inhibiting microglial activation and inflammatory response in the hippocampus.