Objective: To reveal the central mechanism of acupuncture on the central nervous system. Methods: Excitatory amino acids (EAAs) were determined in cerebral cortex

hippocampus and striate body of left side by Shimadzu LC-6A HPLC. Results: Metabolic disorder existed in excitatory amino acids: The content of Glu

Gln

Asp and Asn in hippocampus and striate body were generally increased (P < 0.05

orP < 0.01)

the content of Asn in cerebral cortex was also increased (P < 0.01). The changes of inhibited amino acids (IAAs) to certain extent also existed in the three regions but without regularity. Xingnao Kaiqiao acupuncture method could obviously reduce the levels of Glu

Asp

Gln and Asn in hippocampus and striate body and the levels of Asn and Gln in cerebral cortex of senescence accelerate mouse P/8 (SAM-P/8). The non-acupoint acupuncture method did not exert obvious effects on Glu and Asp which was quite different from Xingnao Kaiqiao acupuncture effects. Conclusions: (1) The hypermetabolism of EAAs existed in the brain of SAM-P/8

which could be regarded as the important pathological mechanism of disorder in study and memory and cerebral atrophy. (2) Xingnao Kaiqiao acupuncture method could obviously regulate the abnormal metabolism of cerebral EAAs

which could be regarded as one of the mechanisms of acupuncture effects on improving brain function. (3) Acupuncture effect has remarkable’ specificity of acupoint.