A tolal of 36 SAMP8 senile dementia mice were randomly divided into model group， non-acupoint group （parallel to the midline of the abdomen，inserted the needle 2 mm above the tip of the iliac crest，used a 1.5-inch needle to obliquely puncture about 3 mm downward，with angle of 90°－180°，frequency of 60－120 min^－1，and 105 s on each side）， acupoint group ［Xuehai point （double） straight puncture 2－3 mm， large amplitude（angle>180°），low frequency （frequency <60 min^－1） twisting and purging method for 30 s， Tanzhong， Zhongwan， Qihai， Zusanli （Double） Direct puncture 2－3 mm， small amplitude （angle<90°）， high frequency （frequency>120 min^－1） twirling and purging for 30 s］，12 mice per group； 12 SAMR1 normal aging mice were set as controls group. Morris water maze experiment was used to evaluate the learning and memory function of the mice； Evans blue staining method was used to detect the contents of Evans blue in the brain tissue of the mice in various groups（representing the BBB permeability）， and the BBB ultrastructures of the mice in various groups were observed under electron microscope； Western blotting method was performed to detect the expression levels of Occludin，Claudin-5， zonula occludens-1 （ZO-1），RhoA， ROCK proteins in hippocampus tissue of the mice in various groups.

In model group and non-acupoint group， the boundary of vascular endothelial cells of the mice was blurred， the basement membrane was thickened， some of them were broken， and the vascular edema was obvious； in acupoint group， the perivascular edema of the mice was significantly relieved， the endothelial cells were basically in normal state， and BBB was improved. Compared with control group， the escape latency of the mice， the content of Evans blue in the brain tissue，and the expression levels of RhoA and ROCK proteins in the hippocampus tissue were increased（P<0.05）； the expresion levels of Occludin， Claudin-5， and ZO-1 proteins in the hippocampus tissue and the space exploration time were decreased （P<0.05）. There were no statistically significant differences in the indication mentioned above between model group and non-acupoint group （P>0.05）. Compared with non-acupoint group， the escaped latency of the mice in acupoint group， the content of Evans blue in the brain tissue， and the expression levels of RhoA and ROCK proteins in hippocampus tissue were decreased（P<0.05）；the expression levels of Occludin， Claudin-5， ZO-1 proteins in hippocampus tissue and the space exploration time were increased （P<0.05）.

Sanjiao acupuncture can improve the BBB permeability in the SAM mice， which may be related to the inhibition of RhoA/ROCK pathway.