Objective To observe the effect of electroacupuncture on cognitive function in Alzheimer’ s disease（ AD） model rats and to explore its potential mechanism. Methods Eight LETO rats were set as the control group;twenty-three insulin resistance OLETF rats were randomized into model group（ n = 12） and electroacupuncture group（ n = 11） after AD model building by intraperitoneal injection of D-galactose and oral administration of Al Cl3 solution.The electroacupuncture group was given electroacupuncture for 3 weeks

while the model group and the control group were not given any intervention. After intervention

Morris water maze test was used to observe the behavioral changes of the rats in all groups

the levels of fasting blood glucose（ FPG）

plasma insulin（ FINS） and serum C-peptide of the rats in each group were measured to calculate the insulin resistance index（ HOMA-IR）

and the levels of β-amyloid protein（ Aβ） and tau protein in hippocampus of rats in each group were measured. Results In the Morris water maze test

compared with those in the model group

the evading latency of place navigation test at each time point significantly shortened in the electroacupuncture group

and the time of crossing the platform in the space probe test prolonged（ P < 0. 01）. Compared with those in the control group

the levels of FPG

FINS

HOMA-IR

C-peptide and Aβ and tau protein in hippocampus were significantly higher in the model group（ P < 0. 01）. Compared with those in the model group

the levels of FPG

FINS

HOMA-IR

C-peptide and Aβ and tau protein in hippocampus in the electroacupuncture group significantly decreased（ P < 0. 01）. Conclusion Electroacupuncture can improve the cognitive function and brain AD-like pathological changes of AD model rats

and the mechanism may be related to improving the state of insulin resistance.