Objective: To investigate findings and value of quantitative MR in depression model of rats. Methods: Twenty male SD rats were divided into model group and control group randomly (10 rats in each group). The depression model of rats was erected by separation and chronic unpredictable stress. The behavior of rat was detected by open-field test and sucrose consumption. The MR images of brain tissues were produced in vivo rats with T2-and diffusion-weighted imaging. The changes of body weight and behavior score and thevalues of T2 and ADC of ROIs were compared between the two groups. Histological verification of hippocampal neuron damage was alsoperformed under ultramicrosopy. Results: Compared with the control group, T2 values in hippocampus prolonged 5.5 ％ ( P ＜ 0.05),ADC values in hippocampus and in temporal lobe cortex decreased 11.7 ％ and 10.9％ (P ＜ 0.01)respectively in the model group. Histo-logic data confirmed severe neuronal damage in the hippocampus of the model group. Conclusion: This study capitalized on diffusion-weighted imaging as a sensitive technique for the identification of neuronal damage in depression and it provides an experimental evidence ofMRI in depression investigation and clinical application.