Objective:To compare the differences of fatty acid composition and content in different brain regions of rats,and to provide experimental evidence for clarifying the distribution of fatty acids in the brain. Methods:Lipids were extracted from the brain regions with methanol/dichloromethane,and fatty acids were methylesterified using methanol/acetyl chloride. Fatty acid methyl esters were then assayed by gas chromatography. Results:Five brain regions including cerebellar vermis,striatum,hippocampus,cerebral cortex and white matter,contained at least 31 fatty acids. There were significant differences in the contents of the ten kinds of fatty acids(including C20∶0,C22∶0,C23∶0,C24∶0,C20∶1,C22∶1,C24∶1,C20∶5n-3,C22∶5n-6 and C22∶6n-3)among the five brain regions. Conclusion:The fatty acid compositions in the five brain regions of rats are basically the same and some fatty acid contents are significantly different.