This work was supported by S&#38;T Program of Hebei (NO.E2020100001, and NO.22372502D), High-level S &#38; T Innovation and Entrepreneurship Talent Project of Shijiazhuang (No. 07202203).

The animal experiments were conducted with the approval of the Committee on Animal Research and Ethics of the Hebei Yiling Medical Research Institute (approval number: N2022148). Male C57BL/6J mice weighing 18-22 g (see Table of Materials) were housed in the new drug evaluation center of Hebei Yiling Medical Research Institute. They were provided with normal food and clean water and exposed to artificial light for 12 h daily. The rooms maintained a controlled temperature range of 20-26 &#176;C and relati...

Cognitive Improvement in Chronic Hypoxia Mice with Acupuncture

Acupuncture, a non-pharmacological medical practice originating in China over 2,000 years ago, involves the insertion of thin needles into specific points on the body known as acupuncture points. These points are believed to be connected by channels or meridians through which the body&#39;s vital energy, or &#34;qi,&#34; flows24. By stimulating these points, acupuncture aims to restore balance and harmony to the body. It has been shown to effectively treat various conditions, including chronic pai...

The global population is currently facing a critical aging problem, resulting in a rapid increase in the prevalence of cognitive disorders. The worldwide incidence of cognitive impairment is approximately 53.97 per 1000 person-years1. Chronic cerebral hypoxia caused by vascular dysfunction or circulatory/respiratory disorders remains one of the major risk factors for age-related dementia2. Previous studies have demonstrated that cerebral hypoxia can increase amyloid-&#946; deposition by modifying BACE1 expression3. Additionally, hypoxia has been associated with glial-cell dysregulation and neuroinflammation4,5. Despite the growing magnitude of this issue, effective Western medicines for preventing chronic hypoxia-induced cognitive decline are currently lacking. Non-pharmacological traditional Chinese medicine, particularly acupuncture, has been used for thousands of years to treat cognitive disorders and has shown promising results in alleviating neurodegenerative diseases6,7. The Baihui, Shenting, and Zusanli acupoints are effective points for treating cognitive dysfunction8,9. Clinical studies have demonstrated that electro-acupuncture therapy significantly improves the Montreal Cognitive Assessment (MoCA) and Mini-Mental State Examination (MMSE) scores in patients with vascular cognitive impairment and effectively ameliorates cognitive dysfunction8. Although studies have suggested that acupuncture can significantly enhance the memory ability of rats with arterial ligation-an acute cerebral hypoxia models10, an acute cerebral hypoxia model, there is no report on the effects of acupuncture in any rodent model with chronic hypoxia-induced cognitive disorders. The lack of research into the mechanism has considerably impeded its clinical application. 
Previous research has demonstrated that subjecting rats to a hypoxic environment for a period of 8 weeks can significantly elevate levels of oxidative stress and inflammation in the brain, resulting in a decline in memory function11. The present study aims to investigate the impact of acupuncture on rodent models in order to further our understanding. It is worth noting, however, that anesthesia is typically required during acupuncture treatment in rodents due to the potential for agitation during repeated stimulation. Prolonged anesthesia can significantly impact cognitive function in mice, as most anesthetic drugs can suppress neural activity and impede information processing, leading to behavioral deficits12. Several studies have shown that administering 2.5% sevoflurane for a duration of 6 h can notably impair spatial memory, learning ability, and attention in mice13. Furthermore, evidence suggests that high doses of anesthesia may result in neuronal death or nerve damage in mice14. Therefore, it is imperative to identify a suitable approach to minimize the overall amount of anesthesia used. In this study, we introduce an effective acupuncture method for treating mice with cognitive impairment, along with behavioral tests to assess their memory abilities. Importantly, we present a modified pre-treatment anesthesia technique that can effectively reduce the total dosage of anesthesia administered during the experiment.

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	<tbody>
		<tr>
			<td>10% paraformaldehyde solution</td>
			<td>Bioroyee (Beijing) Biotechnology Co., Ltd</td>
			<td>RL3234</td>
			<td></td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>ANY-maze</td>
			<td>Science</td>
			<td>&#160;SA201</td>
			<td>Video tracking system</td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>C75BL/6J mice</td>
			<td>BEIJING HFK BIOSCIENCE CO.,LTD</td>
			<td>No.110322220103041767</td>
			<td>Gender: Male,&#160; Weight: 18&#8211;22 g</td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>Electroacupuncture device</td>
			<td>Great Wall</td>
			<td>KWD-808 I</td>
			<td></td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>Hwato acupuncture&#160; needle</td>
			<td>Suzhou Medical Appliance Factory</td>
			<td>2655519&#160;</td>
			<td></td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>Isoflurane</td>
			<td>RWD Life Science Co.,Ltd</td>
			<td>R510-22</td>
			<td></td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>NanoZoomer Digital Pathology</td>
			<td>Hamamatsu Photonics K. K</td>
			<td>C9600-01</td>
			<td></td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>Small animal anesthesia machine</td>
			<td>RWD</td>
			<td>YL-LE-A106</td>
			<td></td>
		</tr>
	</tbody>
</table>

acupuncture treatment in a mouse model of chronic hypoxia-induced cognitive dysfunction

The treatment of central nervous disorders has consistently posed significant challenges to the medical field. Acupuncture, a non-pharmacological practice rooted in traditional Chinese medicine, entails the insertion of fine needles into precise points on the body and is commonly employed for the management of diverse conditions. Recently, acupuncture has emerged as a promising therapeutic intervention for a range of neurological diseases, including anxiety and respiratory disorders. However, the potential of acupuncture in treating cognitive dysfunction induced by chronic hypoxia has not yet been explored. This paper presents a comprehensive protocol for establishing a mouse model of chronic hypoxia-induced cognitive impairment, administering mild anesthesia, performing acupuncture treatment, and assessing behavioral changes and memory abilities using open field tests and water mazes. The step-by-step protocol provides detailed instructions on accurately locating and positioning acupoints and needles for cognitive improvement. By employing this protocol, researchers can conduct systematic studies to thoroughly evaluate the therapeutic potential of acupuncture for cognitive dysfunction.

Author Spotlight: Improving Anesthesia Protocols for Enhanced Mouse Acupuncture Research

Acupuncture Treatment in a Mouse Model of Chronic Hypoxia-Induced Cognitive Dysfunction

Selecting the right anesthesia protocol is crucial for conducting mouse acupuncture. Due to potential cognitive impairment associated with prolonged anesthesia, it represents an essential initial challenge, demanding careful consideration to minimize cognitive function risks in mice during the procedure. In this study, we propose an improved protocol that helps to minimize functional and behavioral abnormalities caused by excessive anesthesia dosing, and enhances the accuracy of the experiments.In the future, our laboratory aims to study the underlying mechanisms of acupuncture despite its observable therapeutic effects on behavior and pathology. Our research will focus on unraveling acupuncture to gain a deeper understanding of its mechanisms.

Characterizing mouse locomotion trajectories in the open field experiment 
The trajectory map reveals that mice in the normal group exhibit a profound inclination for exploration in unfamiliar environments. Their activity trajectories are primarily concentrated in the corners while covering the entire open field (left panel). In contrast, the long-term hypoxia model group of mice displays a significantly diminished desire to explore novel surroundings. They predominantly linger in the corners withou...

Watch this Scientific Journal Video about Acupuncture Treatment in a Mouse Model of Chronic Hypoxia-Induced Cognitive Dysfunction at JoVE.com

Here, we describe a protocol for implementing mild anesthesia and acupuncture treatment on a chronic hypoxia mouse model and conducting behavioral tests to assess the cognitive alterations post-treatment.

The treatment of central nervous disorders has consistently posed significant challenges to the medical field. Acupuncture, a non-pharmacological practice ...

acupuncture-treatment-mouse-model-chronic-hypoxia-induced-cognitive

Research

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Behavior

685 ビュー.  Heilongjiang University of Chinese Medicine. マウス鍼治療を実施するには、適切な麻酔プロトコルを選択することが重要です。麻酔の長期化に伴う認知障害の可能性があるため、麻酔は最初の重要な課題であり、処置中のマウスの認知機能リスクを最小限に抑えるために慎重な検討が必要です。本研究では、過剰な麻酔投与による機能的・行動的異常を最小限にとどめ、実験の精度を高めるための改良されたプロ?...

ビデオ: 著者スポットライト:マウス鍼治療研究を強化するための麻酔プロトコルの改善

Here, we describe a protocol for implementing mild anesthesia and acupuncture treatment on a chronic hypoxia mouse model and conducting behavioral tests to assess the cognitive alterations post-treatment.

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use of micropipette-guided drug administration as an alternative method to oral gavage in rodent models

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Reducing Research Animal Stress with Micropipette-Guided Drug Administration

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auricular acupuncture as a traditional chinese medicine therapy for chronic obstructive pulmonary disease combined with sleep disorders

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Acupuncture Stimulation of Ears to Alleviate Sleeping Disorders in COPD Patients

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operation procedure and precautions of thread-embedding acupuncture therapy in alzheimer

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Improving Cognitive Functions in Rats via Thread-Embedding Acupuncture Therapy

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Author Spotlight: Enhanced Multiplex Immunofluorescent Microscopy Protocol for Neuroscience Research

Described here is a method that can be used to image five or more fluorescent parameters by immunofluorescent microscopy. An analysis pipeline for extracting single cells from these images and conducting single-cell analysis through flow cytometry-like gating strategies is outlined, which can identify cell subsets in tissue...

Immunofluorescent Microscopy and Analysis for High-Parameter Tissue Imaging

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Cardiothoracic surgical models in mice &gt;7 days old require intubation, but this is challenging for preadolescent (8-14-day-old) mouse pups and there is little information on anesthetic regimens for intubation. Here, we present dosage regimens of ketamine/xylazine/atropine in 10-day-old C57BL/6J mouse pups that allow endotracheal intubation, while minimizing animal...

a mechanical construction to enhance the stability and safety of lifting and thrusting manipulation of acupuncture

Author Spotlight: Development of a Standardized Acupuncture Tool Inspired by Advanced Techniques for Improved Safety and Precision

This protocol designs a cannula that can be used to control the range of motion for the lifting and thrusting manipulation in acupuncture, thereby improving stability and safety. It can thus serve both the clinical application and scientific research of acupuncture...

Control Cannula Improves Precision and Stability in Acupuncture Manipulation

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a neural implant design toolbox for nonhuman primates

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Automated 3D Brain and Skull Modeling from MRI for NHP Neurosurgical Planning

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press needle: a traditional chinese medicine therapy for myopia patients with dry eye

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Standardizing Press Needle Treatment for Myopia with Dry Eye

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acupoint catgut embedding therapy for abdominal obesity treatment

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Electroacupuncture in a Chronic Hypoxia-Induced Cognitive Dysfunction Mouse Model

To begin, place an anesthetized mouse with chronic hypoxia-induced cognitive dysfunction on a heating pad set at 37 degrees Celsius. Then, connect the anesthesia machine to the mouth and nose of the mouse. For electroacupuncture, locate the GV20 acupoint on the midline of the forehead between the line connecting the ear tips.Next, locate the GV24 acupoint 1.3 millimeters directly above the midpoint of the eyes. Then find the ST36 acupoint on the outside of the knee joint about two millimeters below the fibula head. Prepare disposable acupuncture needles and an electroacupuncture device for the procedure.Now place the mouse in the prone position. With the right thumb, index finger and middle finger, hold a stainless steel needle. Puncture the points GV20 and GV24 transversely at a depth of two millimeters.Then, puncture the ST36 acupoint vertically to a depth of three to four millimeters. Connect the proximal end of the needles at GV20 and the left ST36 to one electrode set. Connect the proximal end of the needles at GV24 and the right ST36 to another electrode set.Select the Continuous Wave mode on the electroacupuncture device and set the electric current intensity to two milliamperes and the frequency to two hertz. Confirm the ideal treatment by observing local mild tremors at the acupoints. Use adhesive tape to secure the horizontally inserted needle and the connection line.Administer the treatment for 30 minutes each day for six consecutive days. Electroacupuncture appear to improve the exploratory activity of hypoxia-induced mice. The treated mice also displayed a more organized behavior.