Objective:To study the effects and related mechanisms of atorvastatin on functions of whisker barrel cortex in rats exposed to focal cerebral ischemia. Methods:Thirty male Sprague-Dawley rats,which had been trained to reach criteria,were randomly divided into sham-operation group,control group,low-dose group,middle-dose group and high-dose group. The focal ischemia model of whisker-barrel cortex was established by ligating 2-3 branches of right middle cerebral artery permanently. Animals of each dose and control group were administered with drug and saline 24h after the operation. The functions of whisker barrel cortex were evaluated each day after ischemia until rat reached the criteria again. Local cerebral blood flow was assessed by laser Doppler scanner and the expression of VEGF and CD34 was detected with immunohistochemistry method 14d after operation. Results:Compared with the control group,the functions of whisker barrel cortex were significantly improved in each dose group(P < 0.01,P < 0.01,P < 0.05);the local cerebral blood flow and the numbles of VEGF,CD34 positive cells were increased in animalsreceining differene-dose atorastatin than that of control group(P < 0.01,P < 0.01,P < 0.05 respectirely). Middle-dose atorvastatin was the best for function improvement of whisker barrel cortex in rats(P < 0.05,P < 0.01). Conclusion:Atovastatin improved the functions of whisker barrel cortex,which may be related to its increase of the numbles of VEGF positive cells and microvascular density and enhancement of local cerebral blood flow.