To observe the effects of electroacupuncture at Shenting(GV 24) and Baihui(GV 20) on vascular dementia(VD) rats and explore its potential mechanism in improving cognitive impairment in VD rats.Methods:Sixty specific-pathogen-free(SPF) Sprague-Dawley(SD) rats were randomly selected，with 12 rats as the sham surgery group.The remaining rats were subjected to bilateral common carotid artery occlusion(2-VO) to establish the VD model.Thirty-two successful model rats were randomly divided into four groups：model group，electroacupuncture group，non-acupoint group，and electroacupuncture+AMP-activated protein kinase(AMPK) inhibitor group(n=8 per group).The electroacupuncture group received electroacupuncture at Shenting(GV 24) and Baihui(GV 20)，while the non-acupoint group received electroacupuncture at a site 10 mm above the iliac crest.The interventions were carried out for 30 min per session，once daily for 7 days.The electroacupuncture+AMPK inhibitor group received a 20 mg/kg Compound C solution by intraperitoneal injection 2 hours before electroacupuncture.The sham surgery group and model group only underwent binding.After the intervention，the Morris water maze test was used to observe learning and memory function.Enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay(ELISA) was used to detect serum interleukin-1β(IL-1β)，and hippocampal levels of inflammatory mediators IL-6 and tumor necrosis factor-α(TNF-α).Western blotting and real-time quantitative PCR were used to detect the protein and mRNA expression levels of AMPKα1 and nuclear factor-κB(NF-κB) p65 in the hippocampus.Results:Compared with the sham surgery group，the model group exhibited decreased learning and memory function，increased serum IL-1β，and elevated hippocampal IL-6 and TNF-α levels.AMPKα1 protein and mRNA expression was reduced，while NF-κB p65 protein and mRNA expression was increased(all P<0.05).Compared with the model group，the electroacupuncture group showed improved learning and memory function，decreased levels of inflammatory mediators IL-1β，IL-6，and TNF-α，increased AMPKα1 protein and mRNA expression，and decreased NF-κB p65 protein and mRNA expression(all P<0.05).Compared with the electroacupuncture group，the non-acupoint group and electroacupuncture+AMPK inhibitor group showed reduced cognitive function improvement and weakened regulation of inflammatory mediators and the AMPK/NF-κB pathway.Conclusion:Electroacupuncture at Shenting(GV 24) and Baihui(GV 20) can improve cognitive impairment in VD rats，possibly by regulating the AMPK/NF-κB signaling pathway and alleviating peripheral and hippocampal neuroinflammation.