Electroacupuncture Ameliorates Learning and Memory and Improves Synaptic Plasticity via Activation of the PKA/CREB Signaling Pathway in Cerebral Hypoperfusion

Figure 3

EA alleviated LTP impairment and the reduction of dendritic spine density of 2VO rats, and the effects were partially inhibited by H89. (a and c) The linear graph of the normalized fEPSP slope. The downward filled arrow indicates HFS. (b and d) The histogram of average fEPSP slope at 20–50 min and 50–80 min after HFS. The normalized fEPSP slope was significantly decreased in the model group. EA reversed the 2VO-induced LTP impairment, and this effect was partly inhibited by H89. Each value represents mean ± SEM, for each group. (e) Representative dendritic segments of CA1 pyramidal neurons in the hippocampus (1000x, scale bar = 10 μm). (f) Normalized mean dendrite spine density counts. EA attenuates 2VO-induced dendritic spine loss of CA1 region in the hippocampus, and this effect was partly inhibited by H89. Each value represents mean ± SEM, for each group. , compared with the control group; , compared with the model group; , compared with the EA+NS group; and , compared with the EA+NS group.

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