Abstract：Objective：To observe the effect of electro-acupuncture on long-term cognitive dysfunction in delirium rats induced by scopolamine and its possible mechanism. Methods：A total of 30 SD rats were divided into the blank group ， the model group and the electro- acupuncture group according to the random number table method，with 10 rats in each group. Except for those in the blank group，the other two groups were given intraperitoneal injection with scopolamine to establish delirium models. After establishment ， rats in the electro-acupuncture group was given electro-acupuncture at Shenting point (GV24) and Yintang point(GV29) for seven consecutive days. After seven days，Y-maze was conducted on rats in the three groups. After the test， the hippocampus of rats was taken， the concentration of tumor necrosis factor- α(TNF- α) and interleukin- 1β(IL- 1β) was detected by enzyme- linked immunosorbent assay，the apoptosis of nerve cells was detected by the TUNEL method，and the expressions of cysteinyl aspartate specific proteinase- 3(Caspase- 3) and B- cell lymphoma- 2(Bcl- 2) were detected by Western blot. Results：Compared with those in the blank group，the total training times of Y- maze for rats in the model group were increased(P＜0.05)， and the time of reaching standard was prolonged(P＜0.05)； compared with those in the model group， the total training times of Y- maze for rats in the electroacupuncture group were decreased(P＜0.05)，and the time of reaching standard was shortened(P＜0.05). Compared with those in the blank group， the levels of TNF- α and IL- 1β in hippocampus in rats in the model group were increased(P＜0.05)；compared with those in the model group，the levels of TNF-α and IL- 1β in hippocampus in rats in the electro- acupuncture group were decreased(P＜0.05). Compared with those in the blank group， the brown granules in the hippo campus in the model group were significantly increased，indicating that the apoptosis of nerve cells in the hippocampus was increased；compared with those in the model group，the brown granules in the hippo campus in the electro-acupuncture group were significantly decreased， indicating that the electroacupuncture intervention can inhibit the apoptosis of nerve cells induced by scopolamine. Compared with that in the blank group，the expression of Capase- 3 protein in the hippocampus in the model group was increased(P＜0.05)， and the expression of Bcl- 2 protein was decreased(P＜0.05)；compared with those in the model group，the expression of Capase- 3 protein in the hippocampus in the electro-acupuncture group was decreased(P＜0.05)，and the expression of Bcl- 2 protein was increased(P＜0.05). Conclusion：Electro- acupuncture at Shenting point and Yintang point can improve cognitive dysfunction in delirium rats induced by scopolamine，whose mechanism may be to reduce the central inflammatory responses，reverse the abnormal expression of apoptotic proteins， and then inhibit the apoptosis of nerve cells.