Cognitive function is an important part of non-motor function of the cerebellum. The cerebellum is involved in cognition and has a variety of cognitive functions, including working memory function, language function, spatial cognitive function (spatial processing and spatial memory), and temporal cognitive function (time perception and time processing), etc. This article reviewed recent advances in these aspects of cognitive function of the cerebellum.

Diffusion tensor imaging (DTI) can detect the integrity of white matter in vivo, through which various white matter damages of the brains have been found in patients with Alzheimer's disease (AD), even mild cognitive impairment. These damages of white matter may relate to the impairment of cognitive function, otherwise, damages in various area may result in various clinical features. DTI may fur-ther be used in the study of AD development and therapeutic evaluation.

Objective To observe the effect of electroacupuncture at Shenting (DU24) and Baihui (DU20) on learning and memory ability,as well as the finding of histopathology and the expression of mRNA of nuclear factor κB p65 (NF-κB-p65) and its inhibitor (IκB) in the hippocampus of rats with cerebral ischemia/reperfusion (I/R) injury. Methods 45 male Sprague-Dawley rats were were randomly diveded into sham control group (SC, n=15), ischemia control group (IC, n=15) and electroacupuncture group (EA, n=15). The latter 2 groups were modeled as focal cerebral I/R injury, and the EA group received electroacupuncture at Shenting (DU24) and Baihui (DU20) for 14 d. They were evaluated with the step down test, their hippocampus was observed under HE staining and the level of NF-κB-p65 and IκB mRNA was determined with RT-PCR 14 d after modeling. Results The frequence of shock was less, and the latency jumping down from the safe platform was longer in the EA group than in the IC group (P<0.001). The damage of the nerve cell and the expression of NF-κB-p65 mRNA significantly decreased and the expression of IκB mRNA increased in the EA group compared with those of IC group (P<0.001). Conclusion The inhibition of NF-kB-p65 might mediate the recovery of learning and memory impairment after electroacupuncture for cerebral ischemia.

Objective To observe the expression of P2X receptors in the hippocampus of telomerase gene knockout mice after acupuncturing the bilateral ST36 acupoints.Methods Eighteen telomerase gene knockout homozygous mice were randomly divided into a blank control group (group A),a manual acupuncture group (group B) and an electric acupuncture group (group C),each of 6.Group A was not given any intervention,while groups B and C were provided with manual or electric acupuncture at point ST36 for 7 days.The expression of P2X receptors and cAMP response element bound protein (CREB) in the hippocampus were observed and compared among the 3 groups.Results The expression of P2X4 in the hippocampus was not significantly different among the 3 groups in groups B and C decreased significantly compared with group A,but there were no significant differences between group Bs and C.The expression of CREB in group C decreased significantly compared with groups A and B.Conclusion EA inhibits the expression of P2X4 receptor and CREB the hippocampus.The signaling pathway may play an important role in the mechanism of action of acupuncture in neurodegenerative diseases.

Objective To explore the effects of electroacupuncture at Shenting (DU24) and Baihui (DU20) on learning and memory ability in the cerebral ischemia-reperfusion rats and its possible mechanism. Methods 45 male Sprague-Dawley rats were randomly divided into sham group (n=15), ischemia group (n=15) and electroacupuncture group (n=15). The latter 2 groups were modeled as focal cerebral ischemia-reperfusion injury, and the electroacupuncture group received electroacupuncture at Shenting (DU24) and Baihui (DU20) for 7 days. They were tested with Morris Water Maze, observed with Nissl's staining. The protein expression of RhoA was detected with Western blotting. Results The learning and memory ability improved in the electroacupuncture group (P<0.05), the injury of the neurons reduced (P<0.05) and the expression of RhoA in hippocampus decreased compared with the ischemia group (P<0.05). Conclusion Electroacupuncture could ameliorate the learning and memory ability in ischemia- reperfusion rats, which may relate with the inhibition of the expression of RhoA in hippocampus.

There are two phenotypes of microglia, M1 and M2. Microglia in M2 polarization may associate with the phagorytosis of be-ta-amyloid and inhibition of Tau hyperphosphorylation, as well as in other pathology. Electroacupuncture can impact the phenotypes of mi-croglia, which may play a role in the treatment for Alzheimer's disease.

With the development of aging population, the morbidity of Alzheimer's disease (AD) is increasing. Electroacupuncture on several acupoints, especially Baihui (GV20), may improve the cognitive function, brain morphology, and reduceβ-amyloid deposition and tau protein phosphorylation, in AD models.

Objective To investigate the computer-assisted cognitive training (CACT) on cognitive function and functional independence of stroke patients. Methods Sixty patients were randomly divided into 2 groups: the CACT group and the control group. All patients received routine training. Patients in the CACT group received computer-assisted cognitive training additionally. Before and after the CACT, the cognitive function and functional independence of patients were assessed by MMSE, MoCA and FIM assays. Results Before the CACT, no significant differences in the scores of MMSE, MoCA and FIM were found between the two groups (P > 0.05). After the CACT, scores of MMSE, MoCA and FIM were improved in both groups, especially in the CACT group, with statistical differences (P < 0.05). Conclusions CACT can help improve the cognitive function and functional independence in stroke patients.

Objective To explore the central mechanism of acupuncture at Baihui (GV20) for memory impairment after stroke. Methods 32 stroke patients were randomized to receive acupuncture at Baihui (GV20) (as observation group) and acupuncture at Yanglingquan (GB34) (as control group) for 8 weeks. At the meantime, all participants received routine treatment including physical and occupational therapies. They were scanned with resting-state functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI) to find functional connectivity and assessed with Wechsler Memory Scale (WMS) before and after treatment. The results of WMS and functional connectivity were analyzed with Pearson's correlation. Results The memory scores and memory quotient improved significantly after treatment in the observation group (P<0.05). The functional connectivity significantly increased occurred in the left hippocampus to right inferior frontal gyrus, right middle frontal gyrus and left inferior frontal gyrus; and right hippocampus to left middle frontal gyrus, left superior frontal gyrus and left parietal lobe. Significant correlations were found between memory quotient and functional connectivity of hippocampus to frontal lobe and left parietal lobe in the observation group. There was no statistical significance in memory scores and memory quotient in the control group. The functional connectivity significantly decreased in left hippocampus to right middle occipital gyrus, and right hippocampus to right superior temporal gyrus and right posterior lobe of cerebellum. There was no statistical correlation between functional connectivity and results of WMS. Conclusion The acupuncture at Baihui can improves memory ability of stroke patients, which may associate with the increase of functional connectivity of hippocampus with frontal lobes and parietal lobes.

Objective To explore the effects of electroacupuncture at Baihui (DU20) acupoint on learning and memory and its possible mechanism through the expression of brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) in APP/PS1 double-transgenic mice. Methods 30 female APP/PS1 double transgenic mice were randomly divided into model group, DU20 group and non-acupoint group, and 10 wild type mice con-sisted of wild group. DU20 group received electroacupuncture at Baihui and the non-acupoint group received electroacupuncture at non-acu-point for 28 days. Learning and memory was tested by Morris water maze. Deposition ofβ-amyloid (Aβ) peptide was determined by immu-nohistochemical staining. The expression of BDNF in cortex was examined by RT-PCR and Western blotting. Results Compared with the model group, DU20 group ameliorated the learning and memory ability of APP/PS1 double-transgenic mice (P<0.05), decreased the deposi-tion of Aβpeptide (P<0.05) and upregulated the gene and protein levels of BDNF (P<0.01). There was no significant difference between the model group and non-acupoint group (P>0.05). Conclusion Electroacupuncture at DU20 acupoint could ameliorate learning and memory in APP/PS1 double-transgenic mice. The mechanism may be related to increase the expression of BDNF and decrease the deposition of Aβ.