Brief overview of the paper and its main findings

Please provide a brief overview of the paper and its main findings.

The authors studied the impact of electroacupuncture on post-stroke functional recovery using both in vitro and in vivo assays. They have shown that stroke-induced downregulation of miR-132 and the consequent upregulation of SOX-2 are involved in impeding functional recovery after stroke. Additionally, post-MCAO treatment of rats with electroacupuncture induced upregulation of miR-132 and consequently downregulation of SOX-2, enhanced axonal regeneration, and improved neurobehavioral functional recovery. The topic is timely and appropriate and the approach used was feasible, however, there are some minor issues that need to be considered:

Major and minor points

This should be the main substance of your review and should bring up any weaknesses, inconsistencies, things that need to be clarified or questions you have for the authors.

a. In figure 1, the authors stated that EA treatment upregulated miR-132 in the penumbra of the rat brain, however, in the method section it is unclear which part of the brain was used for qRT-PCR and WB analysis? Did they exactly use the penumbra or the peri-ischemic area? b. Chloral hydrate is commonly used as a hypnotic and not recommended for anesthetic use. Additionally, the filament model of MCAO needs long-lasting anesthesia. So, how long did the anesthesia by chloral hydrate last? Was it enough to perform the surgery to the end? c. It looks that EA treatment and ICV injection of miRNA were given simultaneously (24 h after MCAO and last for 5 days). Is it possible to give these two treatments at the same time?

Conflicts of interest

Do you have any conflicts of interest here? No conflict of interest.