Objective To observe the regulative function of acupuncture with the "tonifying qi and regulating blood

strengthening the root and reinforcing the source" points on the cerebral blood flow（CBF） of multi-infarct dementia（MID） model rats to explore the possible mechanism of acupuncture treatment for vascular dementia（VD）.Methods Eighty Wistar male rats were randomized into normal group

10 rats

sham-operation group

10 rats

and emboli modeling group

60 rats.The rats of the emboli modeling group were made models of MID with the slow injection of blood emboli solution 0.3ml from the right external carotid artery.Seven days later

the MID rats were assessed by the test of Morris water maze

then 30 MID model rats were randomized into model group

acupuncture group

and non-point group

with 10 in each.The acupuncture group was treated with acupuncture at Shanzhong（CV 17）

Zhongwan（CV 12）

Qihai（CV 6）

and both sides Zusanli（ST 36） and Xuehai（SP 10）.The non-point group was treated with acupuncture at the non-points in the hypochondriac region of both sides.The other groups were given the same stimulation by catching.After treatment for 21 days

the CBF of cerebral cortex of all groups was examined with transcranial Doppler rheoencephalograph 10min

30min

and 50min after the anesthetic injection.Results In the model group

the CBF of cerebral cortex at all time points was significantly lower than in the normal group（P<0.01）.In the acupuncture group and sham-operation group

the CBF at all time points was significantly higher than in the model group（P<0.05 or P<0.01）.And after anesthesia in the acupuncture group

the CBF at all time points was also significantly higher than in the nonpoint group（P<0.01）.Conclusion Acupuncture at "tonifying qi and regulating blood

strengthening the root and reinforcing the source" points can increase the CBF of MID model rats

which might be the mechanism of the method on VD.