Functional Recovery with Electro-Acupuncture Stimulation in an Mecp2-Knockout Rat Model of Rett Syndrome

Rett syndrome is a progressive neurodevelopmental disorder that lacks effective treatments. Although deep-brain stimulation can alleviate some symptoms in Rett model mice, this interventional manipulation requires deliberate surgical operations. Here, we report that electro-acupuncture stimulation (EAS) can ameliorate symptoms of an Mecp2-knockout rat model of Rett syndrome from the remote acupoints Baihui (GV 20), Yongquan (KI 1), and Shenmen (HT 7). We find that EAS not only prolongs the survival time of Rett rats, but also improves their behavior ability, including locomotion, motor coordination, and social interaction. Neural activation was observed in the substantia nigra of the midbrain, corpus striatum, and cerebral cortex of wild-type and Rett model rats, as reflected by the increased expression of the c-Fos protein. Hence, EAS provides a potential promising therapeutic tool for treating neurodevelopmental diseases.