Electroacupuncture improves sleep deprivation-induced cognitive impairment by suppressing hippocampal inflammatory response in mice

Sleep deprivation (SD) is known to induce neurocognitive dysfunction, with hippocampal inflammation emerging as a critical mediator. Electroacupuncture has shown efficacy in modulating inflammation in neurological disorders, but its potential in mitigating SD-induced cognitive impairment remains und...

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Main Authors: Guoyan Li, Jingbo Liu, Kejing Zhang
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: Taylor & Francis Group 2025-12-01
Series:Stress
Subjects:
Online Access:https://www.tandfonline.com/doi/10.1080/10253890.2025.2502742
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author Guoyan Li
Jingbo Liu
Kejing Zhang
author_facet Guoyan Li
Jingbo Liu
Kejing Zhang
author_sort Guoyan Li
collection DOAJ
description Sleep deprivation (SD) is known to induce neurocognitive dysfunction, with hippocampal inflammation emerging as a critical mediator. Electroacupuncture has shown efficacy in modulating inflammation in neurological disorders, but its potential in mitigating SD-induced cognitive impairment remains underexplored. Using a murine model, we investigated the effects of electroacupuncture on hippocampal inflammation and cognitive function following SD treatment. BALB/c mice underwent sleep disruption using a multiple-platform apparatus and were subsequently treated with electroacupuncture. Cognitive function was assessed using the Morris Water Maze and Y-maze tests. Electroacupuncture treatment significantly ameliorated SD-induced cognitive impairment, as evidenced by improved performance in spatial memory tasks. Additionally, electroacupuncture attenuated hippocampal inflammation, characterized by reduced levels of pro-inflammatory cytokines (IL-1β, MCP-1 and TNF-α) and increased expression of the anti-inflammatory cytokine IL-10. Mechanistically, electroacupuncture suppressed microglial activation and inhibited the TLR4/NF-κB signaling pathway within the hippocampus. Electroacupuncture has therapeutic potential in mitigating SD-induced cognitive dysfunction by modulating hippocampal inflammation, which offers a promising non-pharmacological approach for preserving cognitive function in sleep-deprived individuals.
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spelling doaj-art-69a2f7f9c79443c99c0e3a5fe6ccd5032025-08-20T03:13:10ZengTaylor & Francis GroupStress1025-38901607-88882025-12-0128110.1080/10253890.2025.2502742Electroacupuncture improves sleep deprivation-induced cognitive impairment by suppressing hippocampal inflammatory response in miceGuoyan Li0Jingbo Liu1Kejing Zhang2Department of Anesthesiology, Dongzhimen Hospital of Beijing University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Beijing, ChinaDepartment of Urology, Dongzhimen Hospital of Beijing University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Beijing, ChinaDepartment of Anesthesiology, Dongzhimen Hospital of Beijing University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Beijing, ChinaSleep deprivation (SD) is known to induce neurocognitive dysfunction, with hippocampal inflammation emerging as a critical mediator. Electroacupuncture has shown efficacy in modulating inflammation in neurological disorders, but its potential in mitigating SD-induced cognitive impairment remains underexplored. Using a murine model, we investigated the effects of electroacupuncture on hippocampal inflammation and cognitive function following SD treatment. BALB/c mice underwent sleep disruption using a multiple-platform apparatus and were subsequently treated with electroacupuncture. Cognitive function was assessed using the Morris Water Maze and Y-maze tests. Electroacupuncture treatment significantly ameliorated SD-induced cognitive impairment, as evidenced by improved performance in spatial memory tasks. Additionally, electroacupuncture attenuated hippocampal inflammation, characterized by reduced levels of pro-inflammatory cytokines (IL-1β, MCP-1 and TNF-α) and increased expression of the anti-inflammatory cytokine IL-10. Mechanistically, electroacupuncture suppressed microglial activation and inhibited the TLR4/NF-κB signaling pathway within the hippocampus. Electroacupuncture has therapeutic potential in mitigating SD-induced cognitive dysfunction by modulating hippocampal inflammation, which offers a promising non-pharmacological approach for preserving cognitive function in sleep-deprived individuals.https://www.tandfonline.com/doi/10.1080/10253890.2025.2502742Electroacupuncturesleep deprivationcognitive impairmenthippocampal inflammation
spellingShingle Guoyan Li
Jingbo Liu
Kejing Zhang
Electroacupuncture improves sleep deprivation-induced cognitive impairment by suppressing hippocampal inflammatory response in mice
Stress
Electroacupuncture
sleep deprivation
cognitive impairment
hippocampal inflammation
title Electroacupuncture improves sleep deprivation-induced cognitive impairment by suppressing hippocampal inflammatory response in mice
title_full Electroacupuncture improves sleep deprivation-induced cognitive impairment by suppressing hippocampal inflammatory response in mice
title_fullStr Electroacupuncture improves sleep deprivation-induced cognitive impairment by suppressing hippocampal inflammatory response in mice
title_full_unstemmed Electroacupuncture improves sleep deprivation-induced cognitive impairment by suppressing hippocampal inflammatory response in mice
title_short Electroacupuncture improves sleep deprivation-induced cognitive impairment by suppressing hippocampal inflammatory response in mice
title_sort electroacupuncture improves sleep deprivation induced cognitive impairment by suppressing hippocampal inflammatory response in mice
topic Electroacupuncture
sleep deprivation
cognitive impairment
hippocampal inflammation
url https://www.tandfonline.com/doi/10.1080/10253890.2025.2502742
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AT jingboliu electroacupunctureimprovessleepdeprivationinducedcognitiveimpairmentbysuppressinghippocampalinflammatoryresponseinmice
AT kejingzhang electroacupunctureimprovessleepdeprivationinducedcognitiveimpairmentbysuppressinghippocampalinflammatoryresponseinmice