Objective To observe the effect of electropuncture on activation of glial cells and neuronic ultrastructure in hippocampus of Alzheimer disease（AD） rats

and to investigate its protective effect on neuron.Methods AD rat model was established by microinjection of amyloid-beta protein（Aβ1-40） into the Meynert nucleus of rats

then randomly divided into normal group

sham operation group

model group and electropuncture group

14 rats in each.Electro-acupuncture was given at "baihui（DU 20）"

"taixi（KI 3）" and "zusanli（ST 36）"in the electro-acupuncture group;activation of glial cells in hippocampus was determined by immunohistochemistry

and ultrastructure of neurons was observed under transmission electron microscopy in all group of rats.Results A great number of glial cells were activated in model group with increase of the number

nerve cell degeneration

endoplasmic reticulum to expand

and chondriosome to swell.After treatment of electro-acupuncture

the number of activated glial cells decreased as compared with model group

and the ultrastructure returned to almost normal.Conclusions Electro-acupuncture treatment can decrease the number of activated glial cells of AD rats so as to protect the neurons.