Related Experiment Video
Updated: Jan 23, 2026

Author Spotlight: Using a 3D-Printed Holder for Simultaneous Multiple Electroacupuncture Operation
Published on: September 1, 2023
Electroacupuncture Mitigates Hippocampal Cognitive Impairments by Reducing BACE1 Deposition and Activating PKA in
Yinshan Tang1, Shujun Shao2, Yu Guo2
1Department of Rehabilitation and Traditional Chinese Medicine, The Second Affiliated Hospital of Zhejiang University School of Medicine, Hangzhou, Zhejiang 310009, China.
Abstract:
Increased amyloid-β (Aβ) plaque deposition is thought to be the main cause of Alzheimer's disease (AD). β-Site amyloid precursor protein cleaving enzyme 1 (BACE1) is the key protein involved in Aβ peptide generation. Excessive expression of BACE1 might cause overproduction of neurotoxins in the central nervous system. Previous studies indicated that BACE1 initially cleaves the amyloid precursor protein (APP) and may subsequently interfere with physiological functions of proteins such as PKA, which is recognized to be closely associated with long-term potentiation (LTP) level and can effectively ameliorate cognitive impairments. Therefore, revealing the underlying mechanism of BACE1 in the pathogenesis of AD might have a significant impact on the future development of therapeutic agents targeting dementia. This study examined the effects of electroacupuncture (EA) stimulation on BACE1, APP, and p-PKA protein levels in hippocampal tissue samples. Memory and learning abilities were assessed using the Morris water maze test after EA intervention. Immunofluorescence, immunohistochemistry, and western blot were employed to assess the distribution patterns and expression levels of BACE1, APP, and p-PKA, respectively. The results showed the downregulation of BACE1 and APP and the activation of PKA by EA. In summary, EA treatment might reduce BACE1 deposition in APP/PS1 transgenic mice and regulate PKA and its associated substrates, such as LTP to change memory and learning abilities.
Related Concept Videos
Cognitive Dissonance
Transgenic Organisms
Factors Affecting Dissolution: Drug pKa, Lipophilicity and GI pH
A drug's pKa and the pH of the gastrointestinal (GI) tract play crucial roles...
Phase Transitions: Sublimation and Deposition
Reducing Line Loss
With a step-up transformer at the source, the voltage is increased, thereby reducing the current in the transmission lines since power loss in...
Fixing Double-strand Breaks

