OBJECTIVETo observe effects of electroacupuncture (EA) of low frequency on heroin-seeking behavior and FosB protein expression in relative brain regions so as to explore the mechanism of EA.

METHODSRat model of relapsing into heroin was established with progressive fixed ratio program, and model rats were randomly divided into 3 groups: a "Sanyinjiao" needle-retention control group, a low frequency and weak EA group, and a low frequency and strong EA group. Heroin-seeking behavior was elicited by conditional clue and small dose of heroin; FosB protein expression was investigated with immunohistochemical technique.

RESULTSAfter treatment, the heroin-seeking behavior induced by conditional clue decreased in the needle-retention control group and the weak EA group, and the heroin-seeking behavior induced by small dose of heroin in the weak EA group significantly reduced as compared with the control group, and FosB protein expression in the nucleus accumbens septi, globus pallidus, basolateral amygdaloid nucleus significantly decreased in the weak EA group, and did not significantly change in the strong EA group; the activity induced by heroin increased as compared with those in the control group and the weak EA group.

CONCLUSIONEA of low frequency and low intensity can cure the heroin-seeking behavior, which is correlated with regulating nervous adaptation of nucleus accumbens septi, basolateral amygdaloid nucleus, etc..