Objective To observe the effect of electroacupuncture（EA） at different frequencies on learning and memory functions

as well as the relevant proteins of brain insulin signal transduction pathway in Alzheimer’s disease（AD） mice and explore the effect mechanism of EA in treatment of AD. Methods Seventy-two SPF Kunming male mice were randomized into a blank group

a sham-operation group

a model group

a 2 Hz EA group

a 15 Hz EA group and a 30 Hz EA group

12mice in each one. In the model group and each EA group

AD model were established by the injection with streptozotocin（ST2） solution（8 mg/kg） into the left lateral ventricles. In the sham-operation group

0.9% sodium chloride solution of the same volume was injected into the left lateral ventricles. After successful modeling

in each EA group

EA was applied at "Baihui"（GV 20）

"Dazhui"（GV 14） and "Shenshu"（BL 23） with corresponding frequencies

once daily. One course of EA intervention consisted of 7 treatments and 2 courses were given totally at interval of 1 day. After modeling and intervention

Morris water maze test was conducted for the mice of each group. Using immunohistochemistry and Western blot method

the protein expression of insulin receptor（IR）

insulin receptor substrate-1（IRS-1） and phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase（PI3K） was detected in the hippocampal of the mice after intervention. Results Compared with the blank group

in the model group

the 2 Hz

15 Hz and 30 Hz EA groups

the escape latency and the first time of crossing the platform were all extended（P<0.01）

and the number of crossing the platform was reduced（P<0.01） after modeling. When compared with the blank group

the escape latency and the first time of crossing the platform were all extended（P<0.01）

and the number of crossing the platform was reduced（P<0.01） in the model group after intervention. In the 2 Hz

15 Hz and 30 Hz EA groups

the escape latency and the first time of crossing the platform were all shortened（P<0.01）

and the number of crossing the platform was increased（P<0.05

P<0.01） after intervention when compared with the model group. The escape latency and the first time of crossing the platform were all shortened（P<0.01

P<0.05）

and the number of crossing the platform was increased（P<0.05） in the 15 Hz and 30 Hz EA groups in comparison with the 2 Hz EA group. The protein expression levels of IR

IRS-1and PI3K were reduced in the model group when compared with those of the blank group（P<0.01

P<0.05）; and these protein expression levels were increased in the 15 Hz and 30 Hz EA groups compared with the model group（P<0.05

P<0.01）. Compared with the 2 Hz EA group

the protein expression levels of IR

IRS-1 and PI3K were all elevated in the 15 Hz and 30 Hz EA groups（P<0.05）. Conclusion The learning and memory function of AD mice may be improved through regulating brain insulin signaling transconduction pathway with electroacupuncture

and electroacupuncture at 15 Hz and 30 Hz obtains the overall better effect compared with the intervention at 2 Hz.