Abstract: Objective To study the effects of learning environment on learning memory and microvessel density in hippocampus of rats after cerebral infarction. Methods 80 Sprague-Dawley rats were coagulated right middle cerebral arteries electrically, and randomly divided into learning envionment (LE) and standard environment (SE) groups. They were tested with Morris Water Maze 7 d and 28 d after operation. The microvessel density in hippocampus was measured with CD34 immunohistochemstry 1, 3, 7, 14 and 28 days after operation. Results The achievement of Morris Water Maze was significantly better in the LE group than in the SE group (P<0.001), while the microvessel density in the hippocampus was more since 7 days after operation (P<0.05). Conclusion The learning environment can promote the angiogenesis and improve the learning and memory function recovery.

Key words: cerebral infarction, learning environment, learning and memory, microvessel density, rats