Abstract: ObjectiveTo explore the effect of gastrodin on the apoptosis of brain cells and the impairment of learning and memory induced by lead in rats.Methods50 male Wistar rats were chosen and random divided into 5 groups,respectively;1,2,3,4 and control,10 rats in every group.Except for control all rats were given solution of 0.2% lead acetate,and at the same time group 2,3 and 4 were give gastrodin at the dosage of 100,200 and 400mg/kg respecitively.The ability of learining and memory of each group was measured by Y-maze test,The apoptosis of brain cells was determinged by flow cytometry(FCM).Result(1)The number of electric shocks of group1 was significantly increased compared with 2,3,4and control in Y-maze test(P<0.01);and there was a significant dose-response relationship between electric shocks and gastrodin.(2)the apoptosis of brain cells(P<0.01);and a signficant dose-response relationship between apoptosis and gastrodin was found.ConclusionGastr odin may improve the apoptosis of brain cells and the impairment of learning and memory induced by lead.