Abstract: ObjectiveTo investigate the effect of 1, 2-dinethyl-3-hydroxy-4pyridone(deferiprone,DFP) on learning and memory ability, ATPase activity and the content of aluminum (Al),zinc(Zn),copper (Cu),iron (Fe),calcium (Ca) and magnesium (Mg) in brain of rats exposed to aluminum.MethodsThe Wistar rats were administered with aluminum chloride for four weeks, and then given different doses of DFP for two weeks The maze test was conducted to the rats and the activity of ATPase and the concentration of Al,Zn, Cu, Fe, Ca and Mg in brain tissue were detected.ResultsThe TRT and error frequency of aluminum-exposed group wre remarkably higher than that of the negative control group(P<0.05, P<0.01).The Ca²⁺Mg²⁺ ATPase activity of aluminum-exposed group were significantly lower than that of the high dose group (P<0.05),and the ATPase activities in brain of drug administmtion groups were not significantly different from that of the negative control group.The aluminum concentration in the brain of drug administration groups were significantly loveer than that of aluminum-exposed group(P<0.01) and that of high dose group returned to the level of negative control group.For the Zn, Cu, Fe, Ca, and Mg contents in brain tissue, there was no statistical significance between all dnzg administration groups and negative control group.ConclusionWithin a certain dose range, the DFP can recover the activity of ATPase though effectively promoting the elfin ination of Al, thereby inprove the learning and memory ability in rats while maintaming Zn, Cu, Fe, Ca and Mg metabolism balance in brain.