Evaluation of the Electroacupuncture Effect on Cerebral Blood Flow in APP/PS1 Mice by Using the Laser Speckle Technique

Alzheimer's disease (AD) is characterized by progressive cognitive decline and cerebrovascular dysfunction, including reduced cerebral blood flow (CBF) and neurovascular unit impairment. Electroacupuncture (EA) has shown potential in improving neurological functions, its mechanism may be related to regulating CBF. Laser speckle imaging is a wide-field method for real-time assessment of CBF and can precisely evaluate changes in cerebral blood perfusion. In this experiment, we observed the effects of electroacupuncture on CBF and cognitive ability in AD model mice (APP/PS1 transgenic mice). The blood perfusion of the middle cerebral artery and its branch vessels in mice was observed by laser speckle imaging. The spatial cognitive function of mice was evaluated using the Morris water maze. The results showed that EA could improve the cognitive function of APP/PS1 mice, and the escape latency was significantly decreased in the Morris water maze test (P<0.05). Furthermore, Laser speckle contrast imaging (LSCI) confirmed significant cerebral hypoperfusion in AD model mice compared to wild-type controls (P < 0.05), and importantly, EA treatment induced a statistically significant increase in CBF (P < 0.05), reversing the cerebral hypoperfusion in AD mice. Laser speckle imaging is a visualization technique for evaluating EA-induced cerebrovascular improvements. These findings support EA as a potential adjunct therapy for AD by targeting cerebrovascular dysfunction.