Aim To study the expression of synaptophysin (p38) after middle artery occlusion/reperfusion in rats and the influence of nerve growth factor(NGF) on p38. Methods 72 adult female rats were divided randomly into 4 groups: false-operated group, natural recovering group, ACSF group, NGF group. The rats received left middle cerebral artery occlusion of 2 h. The sections of the brains which were subjected 6 h and 1,3,7,14,21 days of reperfusion, and were processed by immunohistochemistry with antibody against p38. Results p38 immunoreactivity was increased at 3rd day, reached its peak at 7th day, and returned almost to the controlled level at 21th day. The expression of p38 were not increased after NGF treatment. Conclusions It is suggested that there might be neuroplasticity of regeneration and repairment in central nervous system after stroke. The regulative effect of exogenous NGF on p38 need be further studied.